When videogames are out of limit

Now, more children of all ages play more videogames than the previous generation. Because of the excessive virtual gamers, many teens have been amazingly affected, but are excessive videogames harmful to children?

According to statistics, 83% of kids have at least one video game player in their homes and 97% of teens play video games regularly. As time goes by, US video game stores have increased their business; in 2008, video game marketing reached over 21 million dollars selling videogames, and in 2009 it increased by about 17%.

Apparently children now prefer to play videogames than go out and hang out with their friends and an over-dependence on video games could foster social isolation, as they usually play alone. 67% of the teens play violent video games; of these, 21% of the teens suffer from violent temper due to the extreme violent video games they play.

Practicing violent acts may contribute more to aggressive behavior than passive television watching. Studies from the Kaiser Family Foundation actually found a relationship between violent television watching and behavior. Video games distort the children perceptions because they “confuse” them between reality and fantasy, while they are playing; they are so concentrated in the game that they “leave reality” behind.


Each teen that plays for consecutive hours can develop headaches. A Chinese doctor made some studies and discovered that consecutive hours of playing video games are harmful, stating that “adolescents who play more than one hour of console or Internet video games have equal or more intense symptoms of ADHD or inattention than those who do not”.

Online Gaming Addictions display core components of addiction such as salience, mood modification, tolerance, conflict, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and relapse, and many of the teens that play video games are extremely affected by all this. They many of the teens that play video games are extremely affected by all this and achieved an angrier behavior.

Every video game is affective but some are more than others. The games “Mature or Adult” rating are the most affective, and “Teen” rated video games are less harmful but are meant for children. Grand Theft Auto is one of the extremely violent games that are the most harmful than other games like FIFA or Megaman. If trying to buy “not so harmful” video games, always check their rating sign and research in Internet before buying it.

To conclude, according to statistics and many studies excessive videogames are more harmful than helpful; they have very intense side effects such as disorientation, addiction, and a great temper, so avoid the excessive use of your video games.

Source

Foeher, Robert. www.mediafamily.org. 12 de June de 2009. 26 de February de 2010 http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_effect.shtml

Edgar Serna