The Effects of Obsessive Gaming on Children
A lot of people do not believe that obsessive gaming can affect the health of their children. After reading this article, they might think otherwise.
Many had seen the gaming industry’s growing success in the market.
Typically, most of the children are so enticed by these toys. It’s (nearly) every child’s dream to own a particular video game to spend one’s leisure moments with.
So, they beg, they cajole, they do any type of action just to get themselves their own set of games to play with. Sometimes, they get the prize. And, would then spend the next few hours and days cooped up in their own bedrooms – playing with their new toys.
Question is: Does anyone see if there are possible effects of obsessive gaming on children? Or, are they merely trying to stay blind to all these things?
* The Growth That Will Continue to Make its Mark
Video games had risen to great heights. That’s a fact. However, with the unprecedented growth of these games in the market, more and more parents are becoming worried on the possible effects of obsessive gaming on children.
The sad thing is, the public doesn’t seem to notice this concern.
Video gaming companies still continue to make more of the games. And, some are not only geared to the adult’s satisfaction, but are also made for the children’s notion of exciting games – regardless of their absence of knowledge, or innocent approach, on sex and violence.
* The Questions Linger
As such, the nagging questions seem to have an unusual shared sentiment for most parents.
In many households, various questions arise: What can these (seemingly) safe playtime moments do to the children after a few days, weeks, or years? Is it all right to be so concerned about these things? Will all these lead to something dangerous in terms of the mental and physical health of the children?
* The Real Deal
So, what is the truth? Is there something that parents should know about?
Actually, there is. And here are some of those things:
One: Your child may be a likely candidate for an unhealthy form of addiction.
Gaming can actually lead to addiction for the young participants. Since children would usually choose to play for hours for each and every day (if permitted), it’s likely that they would be addicted to this. And may forget to eat, study, or do other things that will not coincide with their gaming hours.
Two: Your child may develop aggression.
Since aggression is a part of most of these gaming toys, seeing it over and over again may influence your child to act the same way. Since children usually have the natural tendency to imitate others (though, at times, they do not entirely mean to do so) the things that they watch and play with will develop a lingering effect on their minds. In time, they would also be noticed to adapt certain behaviors or actions as they had seen on their games.
Three: They may think that sex and violence are all right.
These two factors are the usual things that are incorporated in the games. Sometimes, they are even considered to be the highlights of these toys.
As aforementioned, children’s minds tend to be influenced by the things they see. When sex and violence are often seen, even if the message of these things seems to be subtle, the minds of children may be desentisized to these things because of frequent playing. Eventually, they will accept the fact that sex and violence can be a good combination.
Four: They would be anti-social.
Since games are made with impressive and colorful graphics, and the twists and turns of a certain game can be so engrossing to the player, children may not want to socialize with others anymore. A single day like this would probably be all right. But, if the anti-social behavior would continue for many days, this should then be a problem that needs to be dealt with immediately.
Five: They may have what is termed as “video game epilepsy.”
This term is usually caused by rapidly changing scenes in the games. Some call this photosensitive epilepsy where seizures can be a possible effect from prolonged playing with the usual fast pace of these toys.
Six: Hallucinations might be a common thing for the child.
Another adverse effect is having hallucinations. This may already be a long-term cause for children, and should be taken cared of with medical supervision just like the video game epilepsy.
Seven: It can lead to obesity.
Sitting there for hours will only make your child gain pounds. Without any physical activity, this can also lead to other unhealthy effects.
Eight: They may have a hand-arm vibration syndrome in the long run.
Fatigue, and mostly because of playing for many hours, can produce a hand-arm vibration syndrome for your child. At times, this effect may be a permanent situation. Other times, it can still be cured.
Nine: They may tend to complain about physical pain in the neck, wrist, and elbows.
Frequent pain is inevitable with longer hours of gaming. This may continue as long as your child is still observed to choose gaming over other things.
Ten: They may grow up to be violent as well.
Aside from the acceptance that violence and other negative aspects of the game are all right, your children may also grow up to be having these same behaviors.
* The Plea of Most of the Parents
With many effects that may not be favorable to the children, the parents are left to be lone sufferers in the sense that they suffer because they see the effects slowly emerging from their children.
The effects of obsessive gaming on children may probably continue. And more and more children will be at risk. Even though a lot of people may say that gaming is actually a safe form of leisure, when these effects will slowly show their ugly heads in the behaviors, actions, and health of children, it is only advisable that others listen to the plea of these parents. But, then, if one would really look into these things, it’s still in the parent’s control and the children’s compliance that may stop or influence these effects.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
Karen Halls
February 4th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Dear Author of this site,
I would like to point out how many flaws are punching holes in your logic and will use real world examples for a point. I will be covering all Ten of your listed “side effects.”
Addiction: In terms of the mind an addiction is created by an outer force that enters the body, enters the bloodstream and then effects the mind. An example is alcohol where the chemical effects your ability to be happy.People fight in wars, sit in offices, and watch tv for hours every single day and yet they can stop any time they wish. With an addiction(like to drugs) quiting is actually harmful to the persons mind and body. When you ripe your child away from a gaming platform they may not be happy but it has never hurt them.
Aggression: While games may be based on violence, it has less effects on children than any other form of media. In a game they are promoted to complete strategies and compete and often it brings them a feeling of self importance and power. However they rarely feel attached to the characters of the game and thus, unlike a real world situation will not feel compelled to copy their actions. Look at these blood curtling movies like saw! The children become attached to the hero or villain and then are more likely to behave in a similar fashion. Target movies and the news first, games do not promote the harm of people, only competition.
Sex/violence: As for violence that has been covered and as for sex, what are you letting your children play…Grand Theft Auto? Games have little labels on them that tell what age group their for, these exist to help protect against six year olds playing sexual games. They aren’t to make the box look nice!!! There are perfectly fine games for younger children so why are you letting them play Sexual games? Those are meant for adults not children!
Anti social: Children may want to play for hours at a time but this doesn’t make them anti social. I played thousands of hours of games as a kid and I am fine. Many adults and kids enjoy playing with their friends so it can be enjoyed in a social environment as well.
Video Game Epilepsy: Video Game Epilepsy is something that a very small number of people, approximatively 1%, of all people have. It is not something caused by the game itself but for those few who have it the games fast motion and flashing lights may cause seizures. If your child has Epilepsy it is not suggested that they play video games. All of this is listed on the back of every single game ever sold.
Hallucination’s: Like Video game Epilepsy this is something that occurs in children and adults due to genetics of other outer forces. It is often caused by things such as brain trauma, tumors, and other neurological problems and is not something caused by video games.
However…
One thing that is known and I have experienced is ghosting. Far more common than the things that you have put forth Ghosting is caused when a person of any age does something for extended amounts of time. Ghosting will cause them, for maybe a day or so, to have the sounds and images of a game or event play in their mind over and over when they sleep or close their eyes. This has no negative effects on the person however it can be somewhat distracting and may cause them to have slight trouble sleeping. It should also be noted that this is caused from many hours spent in a solid row during which the person does not rest. For example if a person gets three hours of sleep and then plays the newest Halo for 12 hours without stopping they are likely to experience Ghosting.
Becoming Fat: I would like to mention that sitting and playing a game does not lead to fatness. This could occur if they sat and ate chips and junk all day at the same time but once again this is their parents own fault. My children play their hearts content out on their PS3 and they are far more fit than most children I have seen in their age group. It has to do with how many hours their parents let them play and how many hours they spend doing other things. As long as they work out for oh say an hour a day, even jogging or simply walking they should be able to stay away from the extra pounds that they gain. Also remember, its the parents fault if they let their children sit around eating junk food all day.
Becoming tired: While a person is not likely to experience fatigue from pressing buttons all day, much like people do at their programming jobs, it is possible for children or adults to get carprule(Check Spelling) tunnel. This is a type of damage that can occur in a persons hands and rarely their feet that will cause them to experience pain after periods of doing finger reliant tasks. In order for a person to get this it would take close to ten years of fairly constant strain on their hands. Thus it can always be good to limit a child’s Gaming time to a maximum of four hours in a row with at least two hours rest before playing again. Its not a major concern but it is something that can happen to some of the unlucky.
Physical pain: If it is hand pains it is something that (unless let to go to far) will stop immediately with hour rest in between games. If a person experiences more frequent pain (such as every day), I suggest they should not be allowed to play for at least a month and then if it continues a doctor should be notified. As for neck pain this is not caused by the game but the bad posture often used while playing. This is also an easy fix, if set up in a good posture while playing and forced to stay that way then there will not be any back or neck problems. Also avoid having the screen way above their heads, like the Wal-Marts do, this will lead to bad posture.
Psychopathic behaviors: People almost never become violent as adults because of games or similar activities. They become this way after tremendous amounts of stress, horrible scarring events, or after great loss. A game does not create these situations, more often than not the game will promotes a feeling of value and importance even though nothing it being accomplished. People will fall to stress because of peer pressures, and horrible events in their lives. The average person can’t harm someone else without feeling horrible guilt, I know I do, and thus if they do not then it is because of things that are occurring in their lives.
If a child feels that their parents mistreat them, abuse them, or just don’t understand they will turn to things such as drugs, sex, and other nasty things to compensate. If a person seems naturally willing to want to harm other beings then their is a chance that they are a Psychopath. Such people aren’t as demented as they display on tv but if they don’t get help they can become that way. If you are worried about a child, friend, or loved one spend the time to sit down and talk to them. Try to understand them and try to encourage them to do good things.
Taking away something such as a video game because you fear that it is making them violent or is in some other way making them bad is not the answer. It will make them feel even more as if you are trying to be mean to them and will only make it harder to communicate with them. Communication is the best way to prevent them from becoming bad people, they will listen and become your friend if you try hard enough. If you don’t have the time or patience to do it, then they deserve someone better than you and you shouldn’t have become a parent.
How to make a good zone for your children’s gaming:
There are some easy ways to make a child’s gaming an good and controlled thing. Lets start with the basics.
Choose games of an appropriate age level: so no Grand Theft Auto, for sure, and you should read the review before letting them buy a game. You should know the content of what you are getting for them, be aware parents. I personally buy and play every game, from start to finish before my children ever touch it, thus I know what I am giving them.
Time limits: Don’t let them play fro 12 hours straight without taking at least an hours break at the end of four hours. This prevents Physical pains…such as carpral tunnel, and neck pains…and it will eliminate ghosting and if you must disagree “anti-social lifesyles.
Keep them comfortable: Get them a tv that was made in the last three years, it prevents them from having eye strain from slow refresh rates. Also keep them at least six feet away from that screen, to close will also cause eyes strains. Also, if you can afford a $400 dollar machine plus the games then you can certainly get them well elevated chairs. As a side not keep the sound from getting too loud either.
Don’t take away their games, instead make time for them and you and then also encourage sports, walks, and other outdoor activities. This will help prevent them from becoming violent, will make them feel loved and cared for, they will be fit, and they will feel good because they are fit.
Also, I would like to mention that if you are going to go after things for damaging our children at least start at the right places. First make sure that your child is being kept in a safe and good area like I have listed above, and remember you don’t have to let them play the M rated games. Then go after the real problems. Get ride of the bad influences in their lives, such as other children who are degenerates, then you can go after the Internet and Hollywood. Good luck to you their.
Children can look at more violence, sex, nudity, porn, drugs, guns, and other such bad influences from a computer. They can do anything! They have the entire world at their feet and they can look at anything, everything that they can spell correctly in a Google browser. If you would like to eliminate this a bit then try out the hand Fox Filters offered through Firefox. It gives you the ability to eliminate words in searches such as sex and violence, not only in the title, but in the content. Entire pages can be blocked if you wish.
Also, tv has more violence than games do. On tv almost every show now has sex, death, murder, hatred and other bad influences. If you are going to try and help children stay away from bad influences then you are going to have to lock them in a metal box with ten thousand locks. It simly isn’t possible, all you can do is limit how many influences their are and try to have a greater influence over what your children turns into.
Also, being someone who give enough care to at least try to help children I say thanks to you. You just started with the wrong subject, but its still an effort. If the parents give up enough of their time to pay attention and be a greater influence and friend to their children they can prevent 90% of the things that children do that is bad, at least in most of the world.
Thanks for caring about children….
Mac Traxster!
(”)(^_^)(”)
February 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Hi Mac. I love the fact that you posted such a well detailed comment. I agree with most of the things that you said, and accept the points that you presented regarding the topic.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Dear author
….LMAO
February 9th, 2008 at 5:03 am
I think you will find that extensive research done in the past 5 years proves that extended computer and television time is extremely negative. If you don’t believe me try reading a book called ‘Remotely Controlled’.
February 9th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Eh.. Yeah.. Ever heard of “moderation”?
February 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Lynder, Mac… spot on!
If you sit your child down in front of a video console and expect it to babysit your child then indeed it could lead to issues both physically and emotionally.
But then, that would happen with anything that substitutes for parental involvement in a child’s upbringing.
Moderation, be it for video games, music, food, drink or television is a good thing. So is having a parent that is actively involved in their child’s life.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article The Effects of Obsessive Gaming on Children, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Yea……wow …..I think i play video games…8-10 hours a day? yet i can run 4k? and i can run the 100 in 11.9 seconds? hmmm video games have let to obesity for sure..? Maybe you should play video games before you right an article saying “Effects of Obsessive Gamin on Children.”
February 13th, 2008 at 4:04 am
well it’s great that you’re so fit.. well yea… hmmm… maybe you should start working too? 8-10 hours a day? it’s time to stop freeloading off your mum and pop. happy reading though.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
LOL!! free loading off my mum and pop? lol no no no you see ill stop gaming to get money… I do not freeload off my mother and my Father past on thanks. I gain my own money by getting part time when i need it
February 25th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
i experenced ghosting. back on n 64 golden eye, after 15 hours of play i turnt it off and when i walked around it looked like everything in my house was just like in the game. the walls had the same textures n everything looked the same.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I disagree with 90 (at least) of this article. For one, why is the onus being put on the game developers? That responsibility is on the PARENT!!! If they don’t care enough to monitor what their own children are playing, why should anyone else? Parents are supposed to be their to raise and teach their kids about life. I personally know a couple, that monitored what their daughter played for games, watched on TV and movies, and read in books. You know what? This girl is a very sweet and caring young lady, because of her parents influence and teachings. And there are plenty of other examples like this, that I have seen.
And on the other hand, I have seen what kids get like, when their parents don’t care enough to bother with their kids, because it interferes with what they want to do.
Those parents who want to put the responsibility for their kids on everyone else, should be, in my opinion, jailed for stealing from everyone else.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:36 am
This is great
March 29th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Very useful information
I see there are realy good tips. I am going to use some of them
April 20th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Ellie
I always enjoy coming to this site because you offer great tips and advice for people like me who can always use a few good pointers. I will be getting my friends to pop around fairly soon.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Eric
Truer word have never been uttered, indeed. Your point is sound and excellent. Thanks for sharing.