The Results of a Gamer
Do you ever wonder what a video game could be doing to your child or even yourself? Many believe that these games have detrimental effects on the minds of the gamers. While this may be a controversial issue to some, others have faith in the studies conducted arguing that these seemingly harmless games are not what they seem at all. Some of these studies yield a convincing argument that these games are devastating to the minds, behaviors, and even health for all, but especially children. Various researches have been conducted in order to prove this very point.
Although most seem to be more concerned with the mental effects violent video games have on gamers, the issues go even deeper than that. Gaming addictions have become such a problem that they are not only making the players more aggressive and less sensitive to real life violence, but also affecting them physically as well. Children especially are affected by this issue. The younger generation is now less active and spends more time indoors in front of a television screen than outside playing. Since video games are becoming increasingly more popular, obesity is on the rise. This has become more apparent after the video game industry surpassed the film and music industry both. It is disturbing how wide spread this obsession has become.
Researchers have now found several disturbing health risks that are likely to impact these extreme players from engaging in these addictive video games. Video games are now producing serious and severe symptoms of abdominal pains, chest pains, headaches, weight loss, weight gain and exhaustion. Scientists have shown demonstrations attesting to older Myopia children suffering from these painful side effects due to playing video games. Other reports have shown signs of musculoskeletal problems as well including, but not limited to, numbness, arm pain, and risks for forearm and wrist fractures. Clinical advice was recommended to discontinue usage of video games for at least seven days. After the children’s injuries were examined a week later all signs were absent in every patient.
It is shocking to discover that more than 85% of games have violence in them and approximately half of video games include serious violent actions. After much research, scientists have found that due to such violent video games many of these gaming obsessed players have now undergone psychological desensitization. Participates were given the task to watch a 10 minute film containing real life violence while heart rate and skin perspiration were being monitored. After viewing the ten minute film participants showed decreased signs of heart rate, reaction in skin perspiration, and psychological arousal to real life violence. The test administered also indicated the participates were less likely to help in a real life violent scenario or show any sympathy towards the victim. This point holds a convincing argument attesting to violent video games affecting players negatively. This study resulted in gamers feeling less guilty for their own violent acts, less sympathy towards the victims of other crimes of violence, and an increased level of aggression in behavior.
Before video gaming became such a craze our generation spent more time with physical activities such as sports, now that these games have become such a hit, people are glued to their television screens and controllers. It seems as though society is less concerned with being physically fit, and more so with conquering an imaginary world. Sadly this has not only led to antisocialism, anger and aggression, but also obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obesity in the children has more than tripled in the past 30 years in the United States. Video Games have gotten so out of control that the obesity rate has raised from 7% to 20%. Although there are plenty of negative emotions concerning this matter there is still a silver lining. The video game industry has taken these games and made them more interactive so that one can get exercise while still gaming. However, test reports still show that more than a third of the nation’s children are obese or overweight.
While many may agree with the philosophy that video games are violent and doing more harm than good, it is also about the type of person playing. People have a choice. They can play extremely violent video games, and let it affect them, or they can choose the lighter side and play something more interactive, such as a Wii. In conclusion not all video games are a bad. While the majority of research shows that it is changing some of society for the worst, it is also about monitoring oneself, including parents observing the type of games their children play. If we all take the time to carefully decide what to expose ourselves to the world would be a more peaceful, happy place to live.
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Enjoyed your essay. You brought up some valid points!
ReplyDeleteVideo games have become progressively violent. Children and adults are likely to act out the scenarios they see in their games when they spend too much time immersed in them over real life. Television programs and video games come with ratings because of the violent material. It is up to parents to monitor or not allow their children to play such games. On the other side of it, the military use these games as training and recruiting materials. I don't think that is wise because it gives potential recruits an unrealistic view of how real life combat really is. I agree with your view that is depends on the person playing the game on how they will reference it or not. Self control is the most important when playing games of this nature. Your essay was very well written.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that violent video games cause problems in our society today. I think that they teach our children and probably some adults how to physically hurt or kill someone. Video game makers should have some kind of boundries before their games are put on the shelves for sale.
ReplyDeleteYour paper on gaming and the digital world was informative, and I appreciate that. You know for all the research that shows something is bad, you find other research that shows positive effects, and different uses for technology, especially social media. I shy away from most of it because I get overwhelmed, but there seems to be some pros if you know how to approach and manage it correctly. I agreeI that monitoring yourself, and your children, the people that are closest to you is essential in using these resources for good. Your ending was great, take the time to recognize your exposure and you should be covered. Well done.
ReplyDelete