by Sarah (I want points)
Member since:
January 12, 2007

V: Video Games - Detrimental?

October 03, 2007 02:56 PM EDT
views: 36 | comments: 21
Very close to the end now as you see. I'm on the letter v. I thought I would talk about
video games.  I know there are mixed opinions as to whether these are good or bad.
Violence has people concerned.  Some think that if a child plays too many
video games, they will start immitating that behavior and it will transfer over from
virtual reality to life. Video games are certainly getting more graphic than they were a
very short time ago.  We've come a long way from Mario Brothers here.  My
view is this. I think that they can be used for good and bad. I believe that it's like the
very disputed Harry Potter series.  What are you going to teach your kids about the
video games? Are you going to sit down with them and tell them that what they are
viewing isn't really real and can't happen in real life? I also believe that we need to
very well limit the time that kids are spending on games. They can't take the place of
various other things like homework, going outside, reading, etc...  There are so many
varities of games out there these days that it is also possible to screen what your kids
value in games. Nintendo WII has bowling and tennis. PS2 has a game called guitar hero.
Video games are not detrimental as long as parents do their job. 
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Comments: 21

Denise B. Oct 3, 2007, 3:06pm EDT
very good article
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Oct 3, 2007, 3:10pm EDT
Did you know that most surgeons play video games to practice having steady hands? It has been proven that video games helps surgeons perform better surgeries.
Cheryl W. Oct 3, 2007, 3:29pm EDT
Good article, Sarah. I believe that the online computer games (such as World of Warcraft) are the most dangerous, simply because they are highly addictive. First of all, you cannot beat the game. It is neverending. I have heard of marriages breaking up, kids flunking out of college, people losing jobs all because of their addiction to games such as these.
Col. George W. Oct 3, 2007, 3:30pm EDT
Video games do teach dexterity and do it well. The teach quick reaction and eye-hand coordination.

Any kid knows the violence on a vid is pure make believe Those that are affected negatively have to have some mental defect in the first place. If not a vid it would be somthing else that would set them off.

When my son was very young we were watching movies. I remarked that a character was killed in a previous movie and promptly got informend that it is all make believe by the boy.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 3, 2007, 5:15pm EDT
Thank you for posting your article to !!!Today's Top Three Photos and Articles!!!@

http://bestoftoday.gather.com/
Mary M. Oct 3, 2007, 5:18pm EDT
Good article. I know that we do have to limit my oldest, as he gets too into them and will spend way too much time if we don't keep it in check. But it's also a great way for the boys to have "guy time" with their dad. It's something they all enjoy and once you buy the games, it's free entertainment at home. I think like anything else you can have too much of a good thing but overall my kids know not to play guns or hit or kick, etc. in the real world.
Yes, parents still need to do their parenting job & that means not letting your child play video games that he/she is too young to understand/figure out. Violence is not a good thing for anyone, of any age.....but it's out there, just try to keep your children away from it as long as you can.
gaelyn k. Oct 4, 2007, 12:15am EDT
vicarious voices.
Shannon W Oct 4, 2007, 1:15am EDT
My kids are only allowed to play video games on the weekend and even then it's not very long.
Chuck M. Oct 4, 2007, 5:18am EDT
We try to keep the video game playing to a minimum now. For awhile, that's all my kids and their friends wanted to do. I think video games have almost taken away the imaginations of kids today. When I was a kid, we had to use our imaginations when we played - doing things such as building a tree fort, making fishing poles out of sticks and string, etc. helped make you think and I think that plays a role in developing into a person.
Todd .. Oct 4, 2007, 8:33am EDT
Very nice.
Kelly M. Oct 4, 2007, 10:39am EDT
I have to agree with you!
Dena A. Oct 4, 2007, 2:15pm EDT
I don't allow my kids to play violent or graphic games. They have to be friendly and fun. Also they have to have homework and chores done first .... then they have a limit on how long they can play. The games actually help with concentration and hand eye cordination ... I think as long as parents stay on tip of things they are not bad.... HOWEVER I do prefer for my kids to be doing some active and social versus playing video games. I used to build forts as a kid too. My kids still do this and we do a lot of crafts and such. So limit the games and make them a last choice. We do have some educational ones too though .. like vsmile.

Good article !
Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Oct 4, 2007, 2:18pm EDT
Once I get my apartment cleared a bit more, I might invest in Wii - it's gaming and excercise all in one.
And by that time, the price will be MUCH lower.
Clearing out will take some time.
Jamie S. Oct 4, 2007, 2:29pm EDT
very good, sorry i couldnt be more orginial.
Syed The Shah Oct 4, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
Video Games are fun to play with a limited time allowance from parents, if they can set a schedule for their kids, that'll be more effect and many console games comes with parental controls.

Shah
voice very
vacation
ten 10*
for V
God Bless
Otelia S. Oct 4, 2007, 7:41pm EDT
Very Very True>
Patti M. Oct 5, 2007, 10:45pm EDT
virtually all things that your child does needs to be monitored. TV is more vitent now a day. Music is just plain evil if you listen to some of it. You need to talk to your kids, teach them right from wrong, and instill good virtue in them. They need to be see and learn good manners. If parents do their part the rest will fall into place. Having said that, I know it's not easy if you are gone working a job or you are a single parent. It also isn't easy if you and your spouse aren't on the same page or you get little or no help. I know this but they are the future!
Beverly T. Oct 12, 2007, 7:09pm EDT
I've told my children that even too much of a good thing is bad. Balance, balance, balance. Since OCD is a characteristic problem in my family, we ruled out any type of electronic game as a toy option waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when the kids were little. We've never been sorry for that.

If they want to get addicted, they can do it when they are adults with their own money and on their own time. But I don't think that's going to happen.

Painful People or Painful Things They Said to You

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