May 15, 2011
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
There are many different views from all around the world today about video games and their effect on our communities and youth. There are those, The Good, who look at how video games are seen as an improvement on a person's learning capabilities and improvement in reflexes. There are also those, The Bad, who see video games as an absolute threat and unhealthy infringement on the youth of today. With these two parties clashing at each other explaining who is right and who is wrong we create a great big mess causing utter confusion among others and stress to some, essentially creating The Ugly.
May 12, 2011
Are Video Games Good For Us?
The question that has baffled many parents and many people who are surrounded by modern day technology. How can video games possibly be good for people? According to a BBC News article, video games are "good for you." Scientists from the U.S have discovered that people who do play video games, especially "shoot-em up games" develop better visual skills then those who play non-shooting games or those who don't play video games at all. Through research and experiments that scientist have conducted, they were able to discover that those who played shooting games such as Call of Duty or Medal of Honour were able to complete the tasks given to them more quickly and even more accurately than the non gamers.
Not only are video games proven to improve reflexes and a persons visual abilities, but according to an article by Mike Snider from USATODAY.com, video games are now being used as a way to treat people who have Attention Deficit Disorder to help them to concentrate on the tasks given to them by increasing the speed of and movement of the character portrayed in the game if the patients concentration starts to deteriorate. It can also be seen that the US Navy are also using interactive video games such as Sony Playstation's Eye Toy to help "rehabilitate soldiers" who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As it can be seen here, it seems that video games really are providing the world with not only entertainment, but also treatment of patients and also educational games such as "Immune Attack", which is a 3D- game that helps high school and university students learn about the immune system. Video games are also showing to be used again as training tools such as helping doctors prepare for surgery in the game "Interactive Trauma Trainer.
Not only are video games proven to improve reflexes and a persons visual abilities, but according to an article by Mike Snider from USATODAY.com, video games are now being used as a way to treat people who have Attention Deficit Disorder to help them to concentrate on the tasks given to them by increasing the speed of and movement of the character portrayed in the game if the patients concentration starts to deteriorate. It can also be seen that the US Navy are also using interactive video games such as Sony Playstation's Eye Toy to help "rehabilitate soldiers" who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As it can be seen here, it seems that video games really are providing the world with not only entertainment, but also treatment of patients and also educational games such as "Immune Attack", which is a 3D- game that helps high school and university students learn about the immune system. Video games are also showing to be used again as training tools such as helping doctors prepare for surgery in the game "Interactive Trauma Trainer.
May 11, 2011
The Bad Side...
With all of the people who are "Pro-Gaming" and for video games, you cannot discard those who are against video games.The article presented here provides the reader with their own personal view of video games, and also providing he pro's and also the cons of ideo games. One of the more main reasons why a lot of parents don't allow their children to play video games is mostly because of the content that has been produced within the game. The violent content shown in many games that are being created today have caused many parents to stop their children from playing them so that they will not be exposed to such content early on in their lives.
No exceptions on this one but gaming most definitely can be expensive, especially if you are addicted. A passage written by Jon Henshaw does explain that addiction to video games does become a beginning problem that leads into even bigger problems such as spending thousands of dollars on consoles, computers, accessories, magazines and of course the games themselves. The addiction to video games also leads to problems with relationships even to extreme cases. An article explaining a terrible situation where children that were being looked after by a "MARRIED couple," portrayed a horrifying description of how gaming addiction caused the children to become malnourished, dirty and have terrible dental problems. This is an extreme case but one that cannot be ignored as it was because of gaming addiction that these children were neglected and treated like this.
No exceptions on this one but gaming most definitely can be expensive, especially if you are addicted. A passage written by Jon Henshaw does explain that addiction to video games does become a beginning problem that leads into even bigger problems such as spending thousands of dollars on consoles, computers, accessories, magazines and of course the games themselves. The addiction to video games also leads to problems with relationships even to extreme cases. An article explaining a terrible situation where children that were being looked after by a "MARRIED couple," portrayed a horrifying description of how gaming addiction caused the children to become malnourished, dirty and have terrible dental problems. This is an extreme case but one that cannot be ignored as it was because of gaming addiction that these children were neglected and treated like this.
May 10, 2011
The Verdict...
From what can be seen from the two sides of the argument above, it can be said that video games are bad for you, but only if you keep thinking that they are bad and not looking at the upsides of video games. Is there really much of a difference between video games and what is shown on television? Are songs that use bad language and inappropriate references eligible enough for people to listen to compared to a video game? This article explains the negative affect of music on children What the verdict is, is that adults, kids, babies, everyone is exposed to violence, rude videos and inappropriate language in songs today. In reality there is no difference between those examples just given and a video game. Yes they can be addictive and time wasting and expensive to maintain but it should be those who do get addicted to learn that they should take on a more responsible role and maintain what is right and what is wrong. The reason why people portray video games as bad is due to the fact that those who get addicted do not take the right steps to snap out of it by monitoring themselves, essentially creating confusion among parents who cannot decide whether a game will help their child learn or not. It is because of the addiction of video games that make people realise that they are not good for you without them looking at the way that games can help rehabilitate people, improve reflexes and sight while having fun at the same time.
A Response
I myself do like playing video games from time to time as I see it as a way of relaxing after a stressful day at work or an escape from homework and the stressful times at school, just like how music is used to keep people calm and relaxed alongside television and movies. Yes at times I may get addicted where I play for hours on end but then realise that I have to wake up and snap out of it so I can get other things done. I don't fully agree with people saying that video games ARE bad for you, I just don't really agree with the addiction which is one of the main problems of today. The addiction to video games I feel is what is turning people away from gaming and again also the violent content portrayed in many games. But I really do see video games as a great learning tool for kids just so long as they are not exposed to them so much that they become addicted. There are many games out there such as they newly released Portal 2 games which asks the player to help solve a variety of puzzles in order for their character to complete its task and move on to the next level. Games such as Portal 2 help to challenge the minds of not only children but also adults as well.
May 9, 2011
APA Referencing
BBC News. (2003). Video games 'good for you'. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2943280.stm
Henshaw, J. ( n.d.). Top 5 reasons why video games can be bad for you. Retrieved May 15,2011, from http://www.familyresource.com/lifestyles/mental-environment/top-5-reasons-video-games-are-bad-for-you
Innes, J. (2005). Couple let children starve to play computer games. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://news.scotsman.com/dundee/Couple-let-childen-starve-to.2657183.jp
Raise Smart Kid.com. ( n.d.). The good and bad effects of video games. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games
Snider, M. (2005). Video games actually can be good for you. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-09-26-video-game-therapy_x.htm
Henshaw, J. ( n.d.). Top 5 reasons why video games can be bad for you. Retrieved May 15,2011, from http://www.familyresource.com/lifestyles/mental-environment/top-5-reasons-video-games-are-bad-for-you
Innes, J. (2005). Couple let children starve to play computer games. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://news.scotsman.com/dundee/Couple-let-childen-starve-to.2657183.jp
Raise Smart Kid.com. ( n.d.). The good and bad effects of video games. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games
Snider, M. (2005). Video games actually can be good for you. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-09-26-video-game-therapy_x.htm
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