Phones have evolved greatly since the the 1850s, from the telephones attached to walls to the smartphones of today, that are powerful and fast - just like a calendar, calculator, compass, encyclopedia, and of course, an entertainment system. It’s this last scenario that concerns parents and arouses fears that kids are becoming mindlessly addicted to stupid games that waste their time and minds. However, games are not a stupid waste of time. In this age of technology, games are a norm, they only have negative effects in extreme cases, and when played for healthy amounts of time, can be a motivator for kids, acting as a reward and punishment.
Ever since ancient history, games have been used as a form of entertainment and relaxation. Ancient Egyptians played board games to party, and farmers of the 1800s enjoyed contests and music. Now the main form of entertainment has shifted to games, on PCs, consoles and phones. These games are not ways to waste time, but commonly a quick play when the user is bored or wants to have some fun. If games are only played for enjoyment, then they don’t have a scary power over you. Phone games are similar. Since they are so portable, it would seem that they have a power over you, however, their portability is why we are always on them: they are the most readily available form of entertainment. Phone games do not cause you to mindlessly was time, rather they only appear to do so since they are so accessible.
Not all smartphone games are
“Video games are bad for you, that’s what they said about rock-n-roll” (Shigeru Miyamoto). Video gaming is regarded as a ubiquitous part of children and adolescents’ life. Children who are daily involved in this activity in the US account for 97% of their total. Additionally, for those at an average of 8-13 years old, approximately, 8.5% of them are addicted to playing video games. Moreover, children at the age of 13-18 spend 16 hours per week playing. Video games are so prominent in this current world that we cannot prevent them from being involved entirely. While others believe that video games should not be made available to
Children are exposed to all sorts of content online ranging from educational content, to aggressive and sexual material. Violence and cyberbullying have been linked to spending too much time on electronics (“Pediatricians,” 2013). Palo Alto Medical Foundation, too much screen time has been linked with children engaging in more aggressive behaviors such as fighting with their peers and arguing with their teachers. Furthermore, according to an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University by the name of Douglas Gentile, “Teens with mental health issues may turn to video games for relief, but then become addicted to playing, causing social, academic and emotional problems that may last well into adulthood” (Roberts, 2015). In other words, addiction to electronics may lead to depression and isolation, when there are other options for the relief these children need. By taking preventative measures and keeping a closer eye on screen time, the child will not be as prone to becoming more
James Anderson’s short essay “Just One More Game…: Angry Birds, Farmville, and Other Hyperaddictive Stupid Games” claims that society is addicted to digital games and since the technological advancement in the last decade or so, games are so much easier to distribute to every individual who owns a smartphone. He also stated the iPhone has filled our free time with mindless games as well as a way of gamification. Before reading this essay, I would have never considered the overall view of the gaming industries and the effect on society. James Anderson captures the reader’s attention by examining many of the unfortunate side of games from Tetris to Angry Birds, only to contradict his own thesis. Anderson also uses history, facts, statistics,
In her article titled “Are You Addicted to Your Phone? ...not to mention video games? (Psst: They're designed to do just that!)” she validates the position that video games are addictive. She mentions multiply cases where high school students failed to study or attend extra-curricular studies because of their addiction to video games. Scharper writes about several kids to have had negative effects from social media, from losing sleep, to skipping out on help at charity events, social media and video game addiction. After explaining the problem with video games and app, Scharper gives a few helpful tips for beating the addiction. She ends the article with a few victory stories from kids who learned to limit their use of video games and social
“Electronic games are now an everyday part of childhood and adolescence” (Olsen, 2010). Considering children and adolescence are our future, parents need to consider and monitor how these electronic games are affecting their child. There are more studies afloat that report the negative affects of video games over the positive effects until recently. Children and adolescents become addicted to video games easily so it is important to monitor what they are playing and how it is affecting them and their character. A recent study on many boys and girls reported why they are
In this world today kids can play video games on about anything such as computers, phones, Tvs, and game consoles. The most useful gaming device that is used today by children all over the world is the cell phone, children can access it easily without having to plug it up to a Tv or deal with any cords other than the charger. “Researchers gave 12-year-old gamers tests that asked them to draw, tell stories, ask questions and make predictions. All of the kids had high levels of creativity and curiosity”(Morin).
“Electronic games are now an everyday part of childhood and adolescence” (Olsen, 2010). Considering children and adolescence are our future, parents need to consider and monitor how these electronic games are affecting their child. There are more studies afloat that report the negative affects of video games over the positive effects until recently. Children and adolescents become addicted to video games easily so it is important to monitor what they are playing and how it is affecting them and their character. A recent study on many boys and girls reported why they are
From the past till now, video game never loses its popularity, from Gameboy to Wii, and from NDS to LOL, millions and billions of people are obsessed with this imaginary world. Some of the video games are created for educational purpose, however, most are created for the people who wants to escape from reality. “In a national Harris Poll survey of 1,178 American youths (ages 8-18), ISU Assistant Professor of Psychology Douglas Gentile found nearly one in 10 of the gamers (8.5 percent) to be pathological players.” ("Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) ") Not only the statistic shows the high rate of addiction towards video games, terrible consequences of the addictions are more than enough to be served. For example, an extreme case of an Chinese kid called Xioyi suicide because he lose in one of his game on December 27, 2004; where he left a note that said he wanted “to join the heroes of the game he worshiped.” Video game has the potential to ruin a person’s life, as well as their family, or even the
Advances in technology have forever changed the way that children play, communicate, and view the world. Have you ever told your child that it was time to turn the video game off, or to put away the cell phone? Of course you have. Did they become upset, aggressive, or even depressed? These are warning signs indicating a potentially dangerous addiction. Addiction is characterized by the intense need for a substance and the experience of withdrawal symptoms when that substance is taken away (Rauh). Video games fill the player with strong feelings of pleasure and fulfillment. When considering the effects that video games have on your social, academic, and financial life; when do these fun technologies morph into a dangerous addiction?
Kutner and Olson also report on interviews with kids. One respondent said that he plays video games because he wants to see something that will hopefully never happen to him—experience it without actually being there (Kutner and Olson, 2008, 116). Some other kids said that they played M-rated games with groups of friends, and further research showed that M-gamers were more likely to play games in social settings or with more friends in the room (Kutner and Olson, 2008, 130). Other research shows that video games are a good tool for bringing people together—especially new kids, shy kids, or mentally disabled kids (Kutner and Olson, 2008, 132-134). This book does a good job of describing the effects of video games on lots of different kinds of kids—from different regions, different races, depressed kids, both genders, and mentally disabled kids (Kutner and Olson, 2008, 134).
The device itself it not the problem, but rather what is done on the device and the desire to use it for the purposes of fulfilling an overwhelming need to entertain oneself. A young person may feel like they must play that game on that device or they will go crazy with boredom. Or, it could be that they are close to breaking a high record, and surely the next round will bring them the sweet taste of accomplishment. However, this desire can easily be more than just wanting to play or use a device for fun, and the underlying reason is that the person is an addict to technology. Countries such as China and Japan recognize and have treatment available for young screen addicts, and though the United States hasn't officially labeled screen addiction as a legitimate problem, it is currently being examined as a possible diagnosis (Freed). This fact alone is evidence that screen addiction should be taken seriously. Furthermore, research reveals that activities such as video gaming produces similar effects on the brain like that of substance addiction (Freed). Though this holds true for gaming alone, it shows the urgency to take action on preventing screen addiction in young children. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent and cure dependence on screens and the negative effects that come with
possibilities for movement in this space?" Video games contribute to the stimulation of the mind
Side effects of video games number just about as many types of video games that people play. In Lisa Weber’s article “Positive Effects of Video Games on Children,” she states several benefits that children obtain when they play video games. Some of these advantages include the areas of social development, education, and an emotional outlet. As a result, Lisa clearly displays her stance on the positive side of the opinions of video games. However, electronic gaming contains a voluminous amount of pernicious effects. When young adults and children partake in video games, they come across numerous experiences that could have a negative influence on their lives.
An epidemic is beginning to sweep this nation. In this modern society, a majority of children, teens, and some adults are showing signs of what some experts refer to as video game addiction. Many professionals have differing opinions on the addictive nature of video games, but it does not take an expert to see that children are no longer playing outside, toddlers have learned how to operate pieces of technology that are challenging to some adults and cry when they are taken away from them, and some adults jeopardize their health every year by risking malnutrition and heart disease all in the attempts to play video games.
Many young children and teenagers have heard their mother’s incessant plead to get away from the screen and to go outside or pick up a book for once instead. The urge to play “just one more level” before starting that homework or doing those chores can be quite distracting. But are video games really as awful as Mom exclaims or as brutal as those TV ads depict? It turns out that video games can have a strong impact on participants’ lives in both positive as well as negative ways.