What is game? A game is an emulating process that comprises of different things such as skill, chance(luck), and this activity is held according to the set rules for entertaining purposes of players.
Games are around us since the dawn of mankind, however, they have changed drastically over the years and nowadays, people prefer to play games online on computers, gaming stations rather than board games or outdoor activity. The influence from video games is harmful, therefore, time spent with computer should be under the control.
Computer games have become part of our lives. According to the scientist 97% of U.S. adolescents play video games(Price-Mitchell, 2012). Virtual reality provides us with limitless possibilities. Computer entertainment industry presents all the new games annually, to which it is simply impossible to confront. Neither adults, and the furthermore nor children can imagine a life without a computer. Our children's generation does not know life without computers, which lays a certain effect on their psychological state. How dangerous computer games and whether they can be useful? A computer, itself is neither good nor bad, it is just a tool and is very useful. The man decides on his own how and where to apply this tool.There are thousands of words to talk about the benefits of information technology and computer in particular: it's tuition, and entertainment, and hobbies. However, from the day it appeared scientists started to worry about possible harm of computers and later on virtual games with online worlds. This problem is widely studied foreign psychologists. The first and most important threat to the child's mind are popular commercial computer games. Not all games are harmful to the child, but the harm or benefit of the product is determined by the developers and creators. Approximately 80% of all existing games in one way or another are connected with military operations.When a child grows – the process of the making up of his mind exists, it is an important component of development and self-realization. Hence, there should be a strong personality, always there for the child to be a bright example, to serve as a model for the behavior for the kid. Typically, this example is a father or a perfect hero, constructed in the imagination of a child. In case of games – it is a distortion of the ideal, which later should serve as a model for the behavior of the child. The game imposes a hero who has to kill, to fight, to behave violently in order to win. And the child takes over this cruel behavior. Hence, aggression and cruelty has increased dramatically among the adolescents. “There are incidents where socially isolated, mentally unstable teens have committed acts of violence based on video games” (Price- Mitchell, 2012). Another danger is a virtual game world, which draws to itself the child. The world of computer games is much more attractive, more colorful and interesting than the surrounding gray reality. Especially if the parents pay little attention to the child. There are different types of computer games. Toys are divided on the general grounds for several major classes: "Action", "strategy", "race", "Flight Simulation", "Sport" and "puzzle".First of all, you should pay attention to the variety of computer games that promote the development of intelligence, logic, attention, memory, and other qualities. These are different logic games, puzzles, puzzles. Notable among these strategy games. These games do not require special attention.. They are measured and are designed for extended pastime. They can be interrupted at any time, without the risk of being killed or eaten. Another type of games is educational. There are a number of computer games for children of the age 3 to 5 years. They will teach the kid letters and numbers, will be introduce to the world of animals and plants that will have a positive impact on the development of the emotional sphere, will contribute to the development of motor skills of hands (manipulating a joystick, mouse and keyboard), visual memory. Learning games. There are obvious benefits of computer games for school children - many educational games were developed that will help to deepen their knowledge in a particular area, will be taught to act in different situations, will contribute to the formation of perseverance, concentration, attentiveness. Specific games will help kids to develop attributes like initiative, motivation, and other important behaviors(Price-Mitchell,2012). With the help of computer games we can teach the child foreign languages, to tighten his knowledge on a particular subject, to develop different abilities. Of course, the computer should not be the sole source of development, still remain relevant books, educational board games, construction sets, puzzles.Great use of computer games for adults as well. This is a good way to relax after a hard day's work, escape from everyday bustle. From spending 1-2 hours per day in the computer worlds, nothing bad will happen. It is good for developing certain skills, helps to organize the community to connect people with each other. The player will have to deal with the technical documentation, so that he begins to better understand the definitions and terms, and better able to absorb the English language.However, with all the benefits mankind can obtain from computers and video games The greatest danger posed by computer games - is the emergence of gambling addiction. It is a real deviation of the psychological state of mind that requires a qualified doctor and the support of loved ones. The man succumbed to addiction of computer games literally lives in a virtual reality, only occasionally "excommunicated" offline. The extreme degree of gambling addiction - when a player has lost appetite (he does not want to be away from the game even for a meal) and sleep (he spared no time to rest or even sleep, continues to conquer worlds, and kill enemies). The worst thing in this relationship is that it usually starts innocently enough without arousing suspicions on the part of relatives. Therefore, it is difficult to deal with such dependance - when it becomes apparent, it is hard or even sometimes impossible to pull this person out from virtual worlds without qualified help. Especially noticeable damage is for children, including a special risk are adolescents. Their fragile minds in a matter of days become influenced by the negative effects of games. In addition, children, unlike adults, do have the feel of time - it seems for them that they spent only a few minutes, while it's been a few hours. The most dangerous kind of games - Shooting games as addiction caused by them, accompanied by aggression, rancor. Action games are also harmful, Flying and racing, which, although they are not characterized by aggression, but require more attention, delay, they are hard to come off. Of course, it is impossible for the player is to press pause during another race or passage of the maze. Less impact on the person create "race" and "sports" games. These toys mentally neutral - do not bring harm, but no benefits as well, just a waste of time.With time, the player becomes inattentive, distracted, he has not got on with the work, he ignores his duties. Compulsive dependance is the cause of the collapse of the family, problems at work, leads to depression and loneliness. Many players are willing to spend money to use the paid services in online games. Eventually the player might climb into debt, real life starts to resemble a living hell, but in the online world – he is the king, god and superhero. Such is the price of gaming addiction.Developers earn a lot of money on their games, by "infecting" their dependence on adults and children.In conclusion, I want to draw particular attention to the harmful effects of the computer to the health of the younger generation. Constant sitting at a computer can cause negative effects: vision problems, problems with obesity and musculoskeletal disorders, numb hands.
Overall, there are more negative influence rather than positive. People should spend their time wisely, not simply playing online games. Regular communication and activities in real life are more productive, benefitial and useful.
References
Price-Mitchell, Marilyn. "Effects of Video Games: More Good than Bad for Youth Development?." Effects of Video Games: More Good than Bad for Youth Development?. N.p., 10 Mar. 2012. Web. 20 June 2013. <www.rootsofaction.com/video-games-for-kids-more-good-than-bad-for-development/>.
