The mirror has two faces- ill effects of Cyber Games/Video Games on children

Review:Priya Naresh K


These days there are enough discussions and debates over the rampant development of cyber gaming technology. The mirror has another side to it. This piece focuses on the hazards it causes on children due to its vociferous usage.

Recently, I was an audience of such a discussion. Several points were being talked over, like; Stop playing cyber games, the Government should stop promoting it, ban manufacturing the software and hardware etc. Something rang a bell inside me. How can we just happily pass the buck to the Government or the companies, when along with the media, it is also we who introduce it to our children !!! Simply, the blame game is not going to help.

Today a family life is increasingly fragmented due to heavy workplace demands. The simple rituals that once provided structure and support are fast disappearing. In an otherwise tumultuous world, we try to find easy answers by providing a toy rather than spending time with our kids. I believe any sort of addiction amongst our children arises when they feel insecure at a lot of fronts; from unrelenting expectations of perfection from parents, harsh judgment from peers or even an inability to find comfort from family. Thus a child may move towards video games or the virtual world of cyber games for reassurance and fun.

Games have reported notable controversies due to issues of addiction and violence. The same situation even has been applied to comic books, motion pictures and to some extent music. Parents are now worried about the mind bending influence computer games might have on their children as the focus of a child is shifting from everything else to cyber games. There is a marked behavioural change and vulnerable kids— kids who are already more violent, and those with low self-esteem are more drawn towards it.

American studies have shown that violent video games increase the subject’s aggressive tendencies towards siblings and the peer group. Another stark reality is that children find it difficult to differentiate reality from fantasy. Also if a child experiences or observes violence regularly, he becomes desensitized. He may stop reacting to violence.

The statistics is quite alarming and the real life incidents that have occurred due to this is a wake up call from hell. Now there is a growing concern in the retailers to curb the sale of violent video games . Also countries like Germany, China, Australia, US etc are taking rapid measures to control the usage of violent video games.

These are never going to be enough till parents are aware of its harmful effects. Parents should discuss about forming hobby clubs in art and crafts, performing arts, reading etc for kids. Also, more than letting our kid find recluse in the cyber world, we can spend time in something that probably lasts the same amount of time as a one-hour cyber game.

Children tend to see the world through the prism of their family, so when they get the required shelter and attention, their entire view of the world changes. Parents have to wear many hats and one of the most important roles they need to play is that of being their child’s friend. It is extremely important to encourage new and creative ways to spend a child’s spare time. Study proves that reading, playing games and singing songs does so much more for development than plopping them in front of the video games.

As the quote says; “The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something.” The time is always right, to do what is right. We have to gear up before its too late.
I am sure it can be controlled, what about you ?

The mirror has two faces- ill effects of Cyber Games/Video Games on children Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/internet-and-technologies/gaming/1654021-mirror-faces-ill-effects-cyber/