The Impact of Video Games on Children Essay

mental picture gimpys have been available to consumers for the last 30 historic period. They atomic number 18 a unique form of entertainment, because they encourage looseness of the bowelsers to arrest a part of the spunkys script. Todays sophisticated fiberisation games require players to open constant attention to the game, rather than passively watching a movie. This has both positive and negative impacts on players. Several studies have been published that explore these impacts on todays tiddlerren. Sections What impact does performing television set games have on nipperren or adolescents? Tips on managing your childs media consumptionThe Entertainment Softwargon pass judgment Board (ESRB) References What impact does playacting pic games have on children or adolescents? The most widely use positive impact icon games are said to have on children is that they may improve a players manual dexterity and computer literacy. Ever-improving technology also provides playe rs with better graphics that institute a more realistic virtual playing experience. This quality makes the video game industry a powerful force in many adolescent lives. However, numerous studies show that video games, especially ones with fiery content, make teens more aggressive.Part of the increase in aggressive look is linked to the amount of while children are allowed to play video games. In one study by Walsh (2000), a majority of teens admitted that their parents do not impose a time limit on the number of hours they are allowed to play video games. The study also showed that most parents are unaware of the content or the Entertainment Software military rank Board (ESRB) rating (see below) of the video games their children play. In another study conducted by goy, Lynch, Linder & Walsh (2004, p.6) adolescent girls played video games for an average of 5 hours a week, whereas boys averaged 13 hours a week. The authors also stated that teens who play lurid video games for extended periods of time Tend to be more aggressive Are more inclined to confrontation with their teachers May engage in fights with their peers See a decline in shoal achievements. (Gentile et al, 2004). The interactive quality of video games differs from passively viewing television or movies because it allows players to become active participants in the games script.Players benefit from engaging in acts of violence and are wherefore able to move to the games next level. Gentile & Anderson (2003) state that playing video games may increase aggressive fashion because reddish acts are continually repeated throughout the video game. This method of repetition has long been considered an efficacious teaching method in reinforcing learning patterns. Video games also encourage players to identify with and role play their favorite characters.This is referred to as a first-person video game (Anderson & Dill, 2000, p. 788) because players are able to make decisions affecting the acti ons of the character they are imitating. After a limited amount of time playing a violent video game, a player can automatically prime aggressive thoughts (Bushman & Anderson, 2002, p. 1680). The re look toers concluded that players who had prior experience playing violent video games responded with an increased level of aggression when they encountered confrontation (Bushman & Anderson, 2002).In a Joint averment (2000) before the Congressional creation Health Summit, a number of American medical associations the American aesculapian Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Child & youthful Psychiatry caution parents about violence in the media and its negative effect on children. Their report states that image to violent media can elevate aggressive detectings and thoughts, especially in children. These effects on aggressive behavior can be long-term.Although fewer studies have been conducted on interactive video games, evidence suggests that playing violent video games may have a more dramatic influence on the behavior of children and adolescents (Joint Statement, 2000). screening to top Tips on managing your childs media consumption Because of the popularity of video games, completely eliminating them from your childs behavior might be difficult. But you can decrease the negative impact that they have on your child. here(predicate) are a few tips Know the rating of the video games your child plays (see below). Do not set video game equipment in your childs bedroom.Set limits on how often and how long your child is allowed to play video games. Monitor all of your childs media consumption video games, television, movies and Internet. Supervise your childs Internet use there are now many video games available for playing online. Take the time to discuss with your children the games they are playing or other media they are watching. Ask your child ren how they feel about what they observe in these video games, television programs or movies. This is an opportunity to share your feelings and grow encompassing(prenominal) with your child.Share with other parents information about certain games or ideas for helping each other in parenting. brook to top The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) The ESRB is a self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). The major video game manufacturers created this board after(prenominal) concerned groups applied pressure over the content of video games. Similar to the movie industrys rating system, all major game companies now submit their new products for rating to specially adept raters at the ESRB. The ESRB rates over 1,000 games per year.The ESRB looks at a number of factors when rating games. In particular, it considers the amount of violence, sex, disputable language and substance abuse found in a game. Based on its developed gu idelines, the ESRB then gives an age recommendation and content descriptor to each game submitted. The following are the rating symbols shortly in use, according to the ESRB network site. Early Childhood (EC) surfeit should be qualified for children 3 years and older and conceal no objectionable material. Everyone (E) centre suitable for persons ages 6 and older. The game may contain minimal violenceand some comic mischief. Teen (T) Content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Content is more violent than (E) rating and contains mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes. Mature (M) Content suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Content definitely has more mature sexual themes, intense violence and stronger language. Adults Only (AO) Content suitable only for adults and may contain graphic sex and/or violence. Adult Only products are not intended for persons under the age of 18. Rating Pending (RP) Game has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting a final rating.Th e ESRB Web site has more details about this rating system, as well as the content descriptors that are used in conjunction with the ratings on game packaging. The site is also useful for parents who want to search for the rating of a particular game. Back to top References Bushman, B. & Anderson, C. (2002). Violent Video Games and Hostile Expectations A sieve of the General Aggression Model. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 1679-1686. Gentile, D. A. & Anderson, C. A. (2003). Violent video games The newest media violence hazard. In D. A. Gentile (Ed. ), Media violence and children.Westport, CT Praeger Publishing. Gentile, D. A. , Lynch, P. , Linder, J. & Walsh, D. (2004). The effects of violent video game habits on adolescent hostility, aggressive behaviors, and school performance. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 5-22. Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children Congressional Public Health Summit. (July 26, 2000. ) Available http//www. aap. org/adv ocacy/ releases/jstmtevc. htm. Walsh, D. (2000). Interactive violence and children Testimony submitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate. (March 21, 2000.) Back to top Source http//www. pamf. org/preteen/parents/videogames. html By Andrea Norcia, college student writer Reviewed by the Web Content Committee of PAMF Additional articles Violent Video Games and Aggressive Behaviors, By Andrea Norcia, college student writer Join the talk Website Feedback Site Map 2012 Palo Alto Medical Foundation. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health, Reg. U. S. Patent. & stigmatise office. Serving communities around Palo Alto, Mountain View, Fremont, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Dublin, San Mateo & Santa Cruz.