In recent years, the advances in technology have been mind blowing. Cell phones, computers, iPods, electronic gaming systems, all of these have evolved far more than anyone could have ever imagined. While there are many positives to the evolution of technology, there are definitely negatives. Our technology has consumed us.
One of the most controversial topics is the gaming world. What used to be a simple pacman game has turned into a game to see who can kill the most people. While people may not think it is such a big deal, it is. According to CNN, “About 90 percent of U.S. kids ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so (more if you're a boy)”. These endless hours spent killing people in the virtual world have been linked to child aggression. Researchers have found that kids begin to mimic the behavior of these games whether it’s hitting, punching, kicking, etc. Kids may not realize it, but their behavior is getting increasingly more violent the more they engage in these games.
Parents, next time you go to buy your kid a video game, pay more attention to the box. Video games come with an age recommendation usually on the corner of the box. The recommendation is not there for decoration, it is meant to be taken seriously. Parents have the responsibility to help put a stop to the increasing violence in children. If your kid is 9 years old, don’t buy him a game where the goal is to kill as many people are possible.
As a parent I would never allow my son or daughter to play violent games. I have watched a friend of mine play a popular violent video game called World of Warcraft. Not only was I shocked by the different tactics he could use to kill the opponent, but their was actually blood that shot onto the screen. The game portrayed a real life scenario and was very realistic. I am actually learning about the effects of video games on aggression in my social psychology class right now. People who play video games are unaware of the effects the violence has on them. They are experiencing the priming effect, which occurs when someones depends on their unconscious memory of previous experiences. As a result, it shapes their behavior even they are not aware of it leading to aggression. I think makers of video games should focus on making video games that reflect prosocial behavior, influencing users to adopt the same actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with AMIE. My brother actually played World of Warcraft and became overly obsessed with the game. He would spend all day and night trying to figure out the codes to "beat" the game. This became his life. He forgot about everything. As a result, he would take out all of his anger on us. These types of video games not only cause aggression but also inhibit a child to do what they should be doing – going outside and having fun in the sun, conducting physical exercise! This in turn causes obesity and a decline of health in children. The children in today’s society need to spend less time indoor and more time outside playing!
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