The Effects Of Video Games On Youth

It is debated around the world that videogames have a great influence on violence in the youth, more specifically in adolescents. It is a controversial topic because of the fact that in the past five years there have been many severe acts of violence with an adolescent in the middle of it. Although this true, I disagree with this statement. There may be a correlation between the two, but I do not think that video games make kids violent. In this essay I will voice my opinion on the worldwide debate of whether or not video games are the direct cause of violence in young adults.

Over the past few centuries,video games have become a great leisure and hobby among kids of all ages and cultures. With the advancement of technology, video games have advanced highly in its realism and genres. This high type of advancement brought the video game industry to a multi-billion dollar industry. However, with realism, comes negative effects as well. Ever since the creation of violent or “mature” video games, there has been a constant debate on whether it will increase violence in the player. Although, not all video games are violent, and just increase skills in a player such as hand-eye coordination. Nevertheless, there is research going on for the link between violent video games and youth violence. The question is which event happens first in the sequence, do violent video games aggravate a person’s violent behavior, or does a person get rid of their anger through playing violent video games? Either way, violent video games are not beneficial to our society.

Video games provide a variety of experiences for people of all ages. Games can be played on various platforms including the computer, hand held games, and gaming consoles. Children and adolescents can be exposed to violent content through video games and it may affect the way they behave. Playing violent video games regularly can increase aggressive behavior in adolescents. Within this hypothesis, the independent variable is playing violent video games regularly, the effect is an increase, and the dependent variable is aggressive behavior in adolescents. Violent video games are games in which there is extreme behavior or images. Extreme behavior in video games is shown through killing or severely injuring another character using guns, the body,

For years, the media, teachers and various types of scientists have made the topic video games and the possible influence it has on child and teen aggression. The spark up of the controversy all started with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Since then, most, if not all instances similar to that have thought to be linked to videogame violence, which in turn has led to numerous studies about this topic.But be that as it may the link between violent video games and adolescent aggression is far from being proven fact, however we cannot jump to the conclusion that violent video games build adolescent aggression.

The advancement of technology in the contemporary word has increased the use of video games by children, teenagers and young adults. The video games have existed for almost three decades and the controversy of their causing violent behavior spans the same period (Porter and Starcevic,422). The release of Death Race game in 1970s initiated a debate with organizations, governments officials and other institution taking sides in the argument of whether violent video games cause violent behaviors. The issue has been a bond of contention and has attracted several scientific studies as well as psychological explanations. As a result, the media, regulatory authorities and professionals in mental health have debated the effects of video games on the behavior of those that play, especially the young people. This essay argues that video games do not cause violent behaviors.

There has been quite a bit of controversy between what the real effect video games are having on teenagers. Although everybody swings one way or another, most can agree that albeit video games may or may not be bad, the overuse of these games, can be and is a major problem in the world. Many believe that video games have an exponentially negative effect on teenagers. Many believe that video games desensitize players. In a 2005 study, violent video game exposure has been linked to reduced P300 amplitudes in the brain, which is associated with desensitization to violence and increases in aggressive behavior. Furthermore, these types of games often times reward players for killing, defacing public property, and stimulating violence. Games such as Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto, seem to cause players to feel happiness and joy in creating pain and havoc. However, there is another side to this story. Others believe that video games are contributing to an increasingly safe and more friendly atmosphere in the United States. In fact, sales of video games had more than quadrupled in 1995-2008, while the arrest rate for juvenile murders fell 71.9%, and the arrest rate for all juvenile violent crimes declined 49.3% in this same period. Even more, is the thought that, playing violent video games provides a safe outlet for aggressive and heated feelings. A study from 2007 reported that 45% of boys played video games because "it helps me get my anger out". Not only that, but another

Many video game supporters argue that videogames can be good for a developing child’s brain. The Interesting Neurology Of Gaming states that, “Gameplay involves repeated actions that strengthen the brain cell connections underlying memory and learning.” Kids who play video games regularly have been shown to be better at recalling things from memory and according to Linda Carroll, “Compared to children who didn’t play at all, those who games a few hours a week were better adjusted. They had fewer conduct problems. They were also more likely to care about others.” Many kids could benefit from gaming if it was in small doses and if the games were being monitored by parents to ensure that kids are playing games that are appropriate for their age.

Video games have become an important part of children lives these days. As parents we need to help our children spend a reasonable amount of time on gaming. Allowing too much time on video games can hinder a child’s developmental process. Obsessive amounts of video game playing can cause; attention span problems, inhibit social interaction, aggression, poor social skills, and games are not intellectually stimulating. Parents need to take control and limit the time their children spend on video games each day.

Excessive video game playing has been a problem with today’s youth they have had more influences over the youth than ever before. That brings to my attention a question, how do video games affect the youth of our society? Excessive video game playing, especially violent video games, can lead to youth violence, a decrease in academic success and many other negative things. I realize that some parents believe that they can be good for children, I agree but I also disagree in some cases. Some parents allow their children to play video games to keep a social life and to learn how to use strategies. This is true in some cases but not in all cases. For instance, other children that play video games alone and are in their rooms constantly can

“Life is a video game. No matter how good you get, you are always zapped in the end” (“Video Game Quotes” 1). Over time researchers, psychiatrists, and parents have often wondered how damaging violent video games can be to the youth in society. This is an important matter to people with children in their personal lives or work environment. These games have become a large risk factor for aggressive behavior in children. Researchers have been saying that video games do affect adults as well; however, they have even more effect on younger brains in early development. Video games have negative effects on childrens’ behavior. Some effects that video games have are reduced academic performance, aggression, obesity, and emotional disorder.

The violence that children execute in today’s modern time could have a new factor that parents could not even imagine. Many children today spend most of their time playing video games and this could reflect a negative role in a child’s bad behaviors. Nearly all children, especially in the United States, have or have had a video game console or some type of electronic device that contain video games. Video games in general are not to be blamed but a certain category that majority of the gamers play is called violent video games. Adolescents and children are revealed to violent games could have a bad influence which should be controlled in today’s society. Video games are violent and they affect young teens because they are exposed to

The earliest video game was invented in 1940, where the first patent was designed to win against players trying to avoid picking up the final matchstick. From then on, the progress of videogames has grown to a magnificent feat. In this day and age, the common recreational activity for most people are the use of playing video games. With different variations used to enjoy video games, everyone is able to amuse himself with video games that are not limited to any set time of enjoyment. Video games are generally used to relieve stress or just for their own leisure. The steady stream of video game consumers has branched off onto different sorts of games for their consumers, and most concerningly the genre of violent video games. With the increase of violent video game usage within the youth and the increase in the violence and aggression in these youth, it is a wonder among many concerned parents if these two are correlated with one another. The concern is, “Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?”. While not widely discussed, there is a sufficient amount of evidence that proves that the use of violent video games do contribute to the increase of youth violence and aggression. Many of these gamers prefer playing violent video games due to the adrenaline and dopamine released playing a highly intense game. From the recent rise of violence and exposure towards these video games, there is sufficient evidence to prove that violent video games contribute to youth

The video game industry has become a huge market in today’s society. It has been a fast-growing industry since it started. Today, many video games are directed towards youth. There have been several video games that have been released that are known to demonstrate violent behaviour. A concern that has developed is the possible connection between violent video games causing violent behaviour in young people. Many children and teens spend excessive amounts of time playing aggressive video games. Studies have shown the connection that both proves and declines the correlation between violent video games and violent behaviour. Some studies even show the benefits of playing these kinds of video games. The attitude “gamers” have towards video game research has also been a discussed topic.

Psychology is the study of people's behavior, performance, and mental operations. Also, it alludes to the application of knowledge, which can be used to understand events, treat mental health issues, and improve employment, education and relationships (Philippe np). Video games have been studied, analyzed, and debated ever since they became introduced. The benefits and dangers of video games are two of the most common topics being debated. The concern for violent video games and its effect on children has risen to the top of the issues with video games. However, with the studies that have been conducted, and the information gathered from these studies, the evidence that violent video games lead to aggressive behaviors is inconclusive.

Controversy about video games continue to escalate between parents and gamers, regarding the psychological effect of simulated, realistic, and 3D violence on the minds of young children and growing teenagers. Yet, research shows that video games contribute very little to today’s everyday violence, despite complaints and concerns that games influence a child’s normal behavior. Technology is a way of life in today’s world, computers are used by toddlers, adolescents, and adults alike. No matter what career path a person chooses, the computer plays an essential role in the job. The more our technology progresses and as our industry grows stronger, computers and electronic entertainment will grow to be found everywhere around the world. This includes videogames.