Video games have been around for nearly 50 years. Recent scientific findings show that helpful and pro-social computer game content has great potential for enhancing the lives of children and adolescents, but exposure to antisocial and violent games increases the likelihood of a range of negative outcomes, with greater exposure increasing the risk (Anderson & Warburton, 2012:56).
Granic, Lobel and Engels (2013) show that “the vast majority of psychological research on the effects of “gaming” has been focused on its negative impact: the potential harm related to aggression, addiction and depression”. The authors argue though that “in order to understand the impact of video games on children’s and
adolescents’ development, a more balanced perspective is needed”. Considering these potential benefits is important,
in part, because the nature of these games changed dramatically in the last decade, becoming increasingly complex,
diverse, realistic and social in nature (Ferguson & Olson, 2013, apud Granic, Lobel & Engels, 2013:66). The authors show that playing games promotes a wide range of cognitive skills, such as: faster and more accurate attention
allocation, higher spatial resolution in visual processing and enhanced mental rotation abilities (Green & Bavelier, 2012, apud Granic, Lobel and Engels, 2013:68).
Ferguson & Olson (2013:155) argue that video games play may present opportunities for meeting basic human
needs whether or not these needs are easily met within the real world. For example, competence needs may be seen
as general needs to have fun, achieve victories and successes and be god at something. Social relatedness needs suggest that video games may provide opportunities for individuals to connect socially through game play. The
autonomy need suggests that individual may use video games as an outlet where they may feel as if they have some control and even powerful, perhaps in ways that are not possible in the real world.
As we can see, computer games have a large impact on children’s development. It is desirable for children to use these games for certain educational and developmental objectives and activities. But parents must pay attention to have them less exposed to the harmful impacts of computer games.
Managing children’s computer games consumption is very important. Parents recognize that games can have
powerful effects on children, and should therefore set limits on the amount and content of games their children play.
In this way, we can realize the potential benefits while minimizing the potential harms.
By: Analyn D. Lugtu|Teacher III |Balanga Elementary School|Balanga City, Bataan
