The enormous growth and invention of computer games over the last decade has managed to fundamental changes in the future, given the context of teens. This truth universally acknowledged the fact that computer has become a part of today’s life. We highly accept that we are in the future of information era. The problem of computer games has both positives and negatives. However, the essay will explain the negative impact of computer games towards the young generations who are referred as the future generation of every nation. The negative impact of computer games has gained a depressing magnitude since it has aggravated on the children’s physical and social development at a distressing rate (Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 125). To root out either causes or effects of this problem is not impossible. However, there are solutions to this failing situation.
The essay explains that, the computer games are the major of all the problems prevailing in program and activities of most youth. Most of the computer games are non educative to children if the game itself is much violence, for instance in the war games, which result in violent behavior in children. Most of the children exposed to violence games turn to increase aggressiveness, which later desensitize a child to suffering. Additionally, the access to computer games increases the total amount of time used in front of the computer screen at the expense of significant activities. As a result, most children are exposed to the risk for obesity(Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 126). Regarding the impact on children’s social development, moderate usage of computer games leads to adverse effects on children’s family and friendship relationships (Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 131). This brings loneliness as well as depression in children’s life. The reason is that the excessive usage of computer to play games makes the kid to spend less time in other physical or mental activities. This makes the child to become socially isolated.
In the modern era, physical games like cricket, base ball and hockey etc. have been replaced with video games. This idea has ruined the concept of sports because the basic purpose of sports is to keep the mind and body healthy and fit. Excessive usage of video games has severely disturbed the physical fitness of children. In addition to this, it has not helped much in strengthening the mental health as well. The disadvantages of video games have overpowered their advantages. The reason is that the video games which have been introduced to children, teach wrong values to them. In these games, the players are rewarded if they show violent behavior, aggression and vengeance. Similarly, in these games, women are portrayed as helpless, sexually provocative and weakest creature (Nguyen).
Furthermore, computer games create confusion in the minds of the children. By playing computer games on daily basis, it has become difficult for the children to anticipate between what is real and what is just a mere fantasy. Playing computer games at a young age has shaped the mind of the children in a different way. It is hard for them to get rid of this fantasy world because games are based on the concept of simulation. Due to this, children learn fast whatever they see in the games and believe it is true. In addition to this, usage of computer to play games in leisure time can adversely affect the academic career of the children. In order to get good grades, students are required to concentrate because the concentration of students develops their interest in their studies. However, this is not the case with modern age students because they surf major part of their time in playing computer games. That is why; the students are unable to perform well in their exams (Ravitch and Viteritti).
Moreover, computer games have aroused serious concerns in the minds of parents as well as the government similarly. The games have caused an increase in screen time statistics. Secondly, physical complaints due to much time consumed on playing this game, which affect the developmental and neurological delays in children (Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 125). According to the study, this negative effect can be permanent. Moreover, the effect can result in problems of increasing heart and breathing rates and overloaded and shaking sensory system. Lastly, this problem has given rise to psychological drawbacks in teens that resulting in the development of depression and computer addiction.
It is acknowledged that there is positive aspect behind every black cloud, so there is the importance of using the hammer as well as tongs to harness the growing problem of computer games to teens. To minimize the harmful effects as well as reducing the drawbacks of computer games, there is a need for a complementary and essential approach between the game developers and the parents. Parents are known as the primary forces of giving advice to their children that might help their children to abstain from games with violent content (Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 139). As the excess of everything is bad therefore, parents should additionally limit the length of time consumed by their children in accessing computer games.
On the other hand, the game developers they should develop computer games that are more educational, interactive, and purposeful to the teens. They should not be involved in games that are boring with much violence. It should be the responsibility of the parents to examine the contents of the games before they hand over the games to their children. Most of the times, parents do remember the names of the favorite games of their children but, they do not have enough knowledge about the contents of the games. The adult contents and violence present in the computer games can adversely affect the behavior of the children. Therefore, parents are required to observe their children closely. If they feel any negative change in their children then they should try to switch the interest of children from computer games to other activities like sports and reading books etc (Nguyen).
In order to reduce the adverse effects of computer games, it is very necessary for the parents to give their time to the children. In the modern competitive era, everyone is so busy in money making that they almost have forgotten to spend time with family. Those children who do not get the attention of their parents are more interested in playing computer games. Parents introduce various computer games to their children so that they may not be able to disturb them in completing their office assignments. It is very necessary for the parents to find sometime for their children because they are role models for them. The time of parents can prove to be a positive thing for their children and the things children learn in this time help them to have an excellent future. The desire to play computer games also reduces if the parents take their children for outing (Ravitch and Viteritti).
Conclusively, it is the combined efforts of the parents to acknowledge that this problem can be sorted out. The game developers should understand and enhance computers games that require logical skills and critical thinking since they are the one to be likely sustainable and successful to the young generation. Despite the computers being precisely of primary importance in our lives, computer games and their impact are unavoidable. Therefore, the developers and the parents should take an adequate precaution.
References
Nguyen, T.T. Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Economic Development: A Critical Review. De Gruyter, 2010. Print.
Ravitch, D., and J.P. Viteritti. Kid Stuff: Marketing Sex and Violence to America's Children. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003. Print.
Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. "The impact of home computer use on children's activities and development." The future of children (2000): 123-144. Retrieved from https://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/docs/10_02_05.pdf
