Computer Games in the Child’s Life

The effect of computer games has become a “hot point” in our society. Mostly we draw information on the issue from the two major sources – media and empiric research. And both of them have their own peculiarities. Since 80s the media abounds in numerous reports on hazardous effect of the computer in general and computer games in particular on a child’s psyche. Among the major accusations there is addiction evinced in psychopathological symptoms (inability of a teenager to switch to other entertainments, the feeling of fake superiority over the surroundings, impoverishment of emotional sphere, etc).

Many articles claim that computer games provoke aggressive behavior, violence and wars, as well as extremism. The child tends to limit his interests to “gaming” all the time, he tries to build up his own world and escape from reality. Spending their time only with computer instead of mixing together with their peers lead to the social isolation and difficulties in interpersonal contacts. Somatic disorders, reduction of visual acuity, rapid add up to general negative picture of the computer’s influence.

These opinions are also quite wide-spread in scientific circles and supported by many researchers. They have conducted a number of researches to spot the peculiarities characteristic of the teenagers who spend most of the time playing computer games. A 5- month research of the users aged 9- 16 showed that computer games change their hobby preferences only for a span of a few weeks; in three month-time most “gamers” return to their former hobbies and activities. There is another interesting result refuting the common opinion:” gamers” in comparison with their peers tend to be more responsive to social changes.

The scientists have not detected either serious psychological disorders or any symptoms of “computer” addiction among the tested children. There are only instances of overstrain, foot ache (for those who play arcade games), hand ache caused by convulsive clenching of a joystick, general accelerated psychic excitement, insomnia). One of the central topics of the psychological researches is the problem of aggressiveness of under-aged and the delinquencies connected with it. However the results of numerous works in this field prove that aggressive games provoke aggressive conduct only for children at the age of 6- 9 years old.

The commercials and TV programs containing violent episodes have just the same effect. The results of the tests and researches do not allow us to speak only of definitely negative effect of computer games on teenager’s psyche. Excessive use of computer games as well as any other form of leisure may lead to psychopathological symptoms. Though only one tenth of the tested have such symptom. It would be logical to suggest that knowing your time limit of gaming at the computer you will not be subject to any health risks. Moreover, the games will help you to develop yourself.

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