Effects of playing video games on children

Effects of playing video games on children

Outline

Title: effects of video gaming on children

Objective: to find out the psychology behind children playing video games, to find out the psychological effects of playing video games on school-going children, to explore the perception of the society on video games to children, to identify the effects of playing violent video games on children.

Necessity: parents, children, and society

Method: a critical analysis of various sources of information from reference works to primary and secondary sources of information.

Effects of playing video games on children

Annotated bibliography

Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

In current society, video games have become popular. A massive number of people participate in virtual video games worldwide. According to an American psychologist, playing video games might boost the child’s health and even his or her social skills. That includes violent games. While many people might counter this statement, it is good to look at the situation in a balanced perspective. The comprehensive research conducted,  reviewed, and published established in 2013 that playing video games may also be beneficial to the children. Some games such as puzzles and role-playing enhance the child’s ability to solve problems skillfully. These games, including the violent ones, enhanced the child’s creativity levels. According to a study by Granic, Simple games such as “angry birds” help improve the child’s mood. Such games promote a relaxing environment away from anxiety. In his research, he points out the possibility of video games helping children learn effective ways of coping with failure through building resilience in the face of difficulties. However, the study suggests that this was not the case when children used other technology such as cellphones or the computer.

“This Is Your Child’s Brain on Video Games.” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 25 Sept. 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

You may wonder why a seemingly ordinary child would suddenly seem extremely agitated or act awkward after a video game? When a child is playing a violent video game, the game might mimic sensory assaults that human beings have when they are in danger or the protection mode. When a human brain senses danger, primal survival instincts kick in. This mechanism is instant and very prominent in our genes.  When a child is playing any kind of violent video game, this kind of instinct is triggered immediately. It explains why when you abruptly tell your child to stop playing a video game, they immediately get agitated as if in a fight. it is a state known as “running from the tiger.” The child might find it challenging to regulate their brain, leading to a state of stress. It is a situation where the brain cannot decide between fight or flight. Such a situation results in various problems for the child. These video games deplete the child mentally, leaving them with difficulties in concentrating on managing their emotions, following instructions, handling frustrations, accessing compassion and their creative side, suppressing their impulses, and executing simple tasks.

Graham, Jeffrey. Video Games: Parents’ Perceptions, Role of Social Media, and Effects on Behavior. N.p.: Nova Science, 2014. Print

It is understandable why video game is trendy in our society today. Millions of people play video games worldwide with an 85% range.most of the number are children in the age of 10-14 years. Hence, society must understand the possible harms or benefits they can cause. For parent video games are not as crucial to their children. Most parents frown upon video gaming and prefer their activities for their kids. That is because parents think video games corrupt the child’s brain. It has been labeled as a ‘time waster’ by most parents. However, research shows that there are two sides to the coin in this study. Many psychologists and scientists have concluded that video games can benefit a child’s brain, making them smart and skilled.

“25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games.” Raise Smart Kid. N.p., 19 Apr. 2020. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

There are several benefits linked to children playing video games. Some include how to respond to challenges and frustrations in real-world situations, build teamwork when playing with others, encourages children to take risks, improve concentration levels, quick thinking, and analysis of situations as well as quick decision-making. These are just but a few benefits of video games to children. In a school environment, video games increase the child’s creativity levels; they make learning faster snd fun. Video games also introduce your child to the technology and online world.this is important since society today is high –tech sophisticated when it comes to computers and technology. Most video games contribute to the child’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Most games are challenging, and when the child learns the skills required to win the game, it builds his or her confidence in handling difficult situations. That is why playing video games is safer for having your children in drugs or even in real-world street games.

“Violence and Video Games.” Find in a Library with WorldCat. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

Too much of everything is poisonous. Children who engage in violent video games can become violent and aggressive. In the year 2008, comprehensive research analyzed about 17000 children who played violent games such as ‘call of duty’ and ‘grand theft auto.’ Studies show that these kids were likely to practice risky behaviors such as aggression, smoking, alcohol, reckless driving, and unsafe sex. Research done by Anderson and Dill in 2000 suggests that playing violent video games has a connection to violent behaviors. In such games, the child is sorely in control of what happens, such as killing, kicking, and shooting. Such games harm the brain. As stated earlier, too much of everything is unhealthy. Most gamers are loners. A study by the University of New York and Ontario institute of technology indicates that most gamers expand their online gaming at the expense of offline social lives. It leads to kids socially isolating themselves. Most violent video games promote the wrong values in the lives of the children playing. Such games advocate violence, revenge and vengeance, and aggression. Children who spend most of their time playing video games end up flopping in their performance in school. The main reason being, they hardly find time for studies and more time put into gaming.

In summation, too much gaming is not healthy. Most children who play video games are between the age of 10-15. At these ages, the children have little self-control and are vulnerable to adverse impacts derived from playing. Addiction is the mother of all negatives caused by video games. The world health organization declared it as a mental disorder in 2008. It is, however, essential to note that the effects of video gaming on children depend on how the parents’ guardians or the society handles it.

Works cited

“25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games.” Raise Smart Kid. N.p., 19 Apr. 2020. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

Graham, Jeffrey. Video Games: Parents’ Perceptions, Role of Social Media, and Effects on Behavior. N.p.: Nova Science, 2014. Print.

Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

“This Is Your Child’s Brain on Video Games.” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 25 Sept. 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.

“Violence and Video Games.” Find in a Library with WorldCat. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2020.