Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on effects of gaming systems. Effects of Gaming Systems Gaming systems such as Xbox, PlayStation and the new Nintendo Wii can provide hours of entertai

Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on effects of gaming systems. Effects of Gaming Systems Gaming systems such as Xbox, PlayStation and the new Nintendo Wii can provide hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. One of the first commercial video

games, Pong was a simple theme based on the game of Ping Pong. As technology for

gaming systems was enhanced and graphics made more realistic, more aggressive and

violent games appeared on the market. Though some non-violent games are available

today for all systems, the majority are violent, aggressive and often contain sexuality.

An inspection of the games available on the shelves of Best Buy or even the local Wal-

Mart is evidence of this.

There are many experts in agreement that playing violent video games and playing

them for extended periods of time are causing children to become aggressive and anti

social in their behavior. There are also experts who disagree. There is no question that

constant playing of video games can lead to childhood obesity. Nearly everyone can

agree that lack of exercise in children causes weight gain. Children who spend all their

spare time in activities of any type that lack physical exertion will cause weight gain.

It has been difficult to prove that violent video games leads to aggressive behavior, due

to limitations of research studies. As games become more violent however, there is

more evidence to show that violent games cause aggressive behavior.

It is a logical assumption to conclude that violent video games lead to aggressive

behavior, given what is known about violent TV programs and movies. Fifty years of

research have provided strong evidence that “even brief exposure to violent TV or movie

scenes causes significant increases in aggression. Repeated exposure of children to

media violence increases their aggressiveness as young adults. Media violence is a

significant risk factor in youth violence” (Anderson & Bushman, 2004). It follows that

violence in video games, which are increasingly realistic in their depiction of violence

Effects of Gaming Systems 2

and its effects, should cause similar effects on youth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association rely on

scientific evidence that shows violence of television leads to aggressive behavior in

children. Social Scientists also suggest that aggressive behavior should increase in

children in the future, based on what is known about child behavior. Children imitate the

actions of those whom they identify with. The actions of main characters, who are often

the perpetrators of violence in games leave children with a distorted idea of who they

should mimic or emulate. “ Repetition increases learning. Video games involve a great

deal of repetition. If the games are violent, then the effect is a behavioral rehearsal for

violent activity. Rewards increase learning, and video games are based on a reward

system” (Walsh, 2001).

Obesity, violence and aggression are not the only effects that gaming systems and

video games have on children. Those who feel that they have little control over their

external environments can become anti social in behavior. Video games offer a world

where children have control over characters, actions and outcomes. This can lure

children to the game even more, creating a children who become more withdrawn from

family and peers. Children may loose interest in activities and fall behind in school

work. Such behavior is well documented in adults, who have lost families and ruined

careers due to extensive video gaming. This is similar to the effects that viewing

pornography have on adults. It is just about sex, but rather provides an escape from the

realities of life, whether from a wife, family responsibilities or some other expectation.

All games have a rating system similar to that of movies and TV programs. Still

parents allow their children to play video games, often for hours at a time. Video games

may keep children out of trouble and off the streets. Parents often do not think about the

Effects of Gaming Systems 3

long term effects. Pediatricians and school counselors should promote responsible

and monitored video gaming for children of all ages. It’s hard to say no, when children

see what their friends do in their spare time with respect to video games. Limits should

be set on amounts of time spent gaming, as well as the content of games. Parents should

be made aware of all the effects gaming can have on their children. They should balance

the daily lives of their children with proper exercise, limited gaming(an hour or less is

recommended, and limited viewing of violent content, whatever the source.

References.

Walsh, D. (2001). Video Game Violence and Public Policy. Retrieved July 12, 2007

from http://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/conf2001/papers/walsh.html

Anderson, C & Bushman, B. (2004). Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive

Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal and

Prosocial Behavior. Retrieved July 11, 2007 from

http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/01AB.