Internet use has become one of the most important habits in our daily lives. Nowadays, it became one of the necessities of human beings regardless of sex or age, thus making it an efficient tool to cope up with the fast-growing technology. It is a source of information and a means for communication and relaxation. One of the influences of this technology is computer gaming. Computer games are the most popular entertainment and they target a variety of people of different ages. Online gaming is one of the widely used leisure activities by many people. In a study conducted by Castillo and Dumrique (2017), they stated that online games can be a stress reliever, challenge and competition, relaxation, enjoyment, social interaction, and even mentally escaping from the real world. According to some researchers, it is beneficial making players alert, active and strategic since they come up with solutions and decisions in tight situations.
Nowadays, students spend too much time on online games. Inappropriate use of online games leads to problems such as distraction and addiction. Internet games addiction is characterized by cognitive and emotional deficits. Online addiction involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours. Students use online games to relieve them of their stresses but the excessive use of online games may lead to worsened learning ability, concentration problems, poor academic performance and decreased interactions with other people.
One most common effect of online gaming addiction is withdrawal from social interactions. Instead of interacting with family or friends, students would prefer to stay home or in internet cafes. The effect of this isolation will lead to collapse of interaction and communication. True, they may interact with fellow online games, but true social lives and personal relationships suffer. When students withdraw from social work, they also cease from being productive. They become sleep deprived due to extended periods of time playing that they fail to accomplish tasks at school or at home reducing production. As a result, they perform poorly in academics. Online games addiction is detrimental to students’ health because they spend a significant number of hours without eating and wouldn’t even stop to do basic hygiene tasks such as going to the restroom or bathing.
Obviously, there are positive and negative effects of online gaming. Students should recognize and practice responsible and appropriate use of internet and online games. Gaming is fun and a sociable way to spend time. Students should use gaming as a way to develop teamwork with fellow gamers and develop skills to activate the mind. They should also be aware of the risks to help them stay safe and have positive gaming experience. Once aware of the online risks, they would take appropriate actions to protect themselves and make practical and wise decisions to know when to stop.
By: Catherine L. Jongco | Master Teacher I | Bataan National High School | Balanga, Bataan
