DO VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES

AFFECT KIDS

BEHAVIOR AND GRADES?

By: Braden Bush

History Video games have been around for the last 30 years.

There have been several changes made to video games over those last 30 years as well as to the type of game systems they are played on. Video games and their systems are now high calibre with 3D graphics and are very interactive with the players. They are a way to allow the player to become part of the game. They also require more attention of the player then watching a movie does.

Negative Affects of Video Games

Games that include graphic violence, sexual themes, consumption of illegal drugs and profanity can cause addiction and violent behaviors.

Teaches kids weapon related skills Causes kids to be less caring and helpful to others and their

peers. Causes kids to become more hostile Causes kids to argue and fight more Health problems such as obesity and posture. Increase depression levels and levels of anxiety along with

impulsive behaviors and attention problems.

Negative Affects of Video Games

Violent video games have more of a negative affect then TV violence because of the repeated acts of violence.

Intensifies the learning of bad behaviors Makes teens more aggressive and causes them to get

into confrontations with their teachers, engage in more fights and have a decline in school work.

Teach kids the wrong values such as violent behaviors. Confuse kids on what is reality and what is fantasy. Lead to aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Berkeley University Research Information on Violent Video Games

BAD GRADES

Boys with lower academic levels tend to prefer more violent games then boys with higher or medium level of academics do. The boys with lower level academics also had a higher perception of the games being “real” and identified more with the characters of the game.

BAD BEHAVIORS

These boys were also more likely to seek out thrills and bad behaviors. They also believe that aggression is an effective way of solving conflicts and getting what they want in life.

My thoughts on Video Games

I play many types of video games, mostly violent ones and I feel that aggressive kids tend to choose violent video games more then the video games making the kids aggressive. However that is not always the case as I play video games to have fun and to talk to my friends online. I think of it as an escape from day to day activities. I also feel like video games have positive affects on kids that parents don’t always think of.

Positive Affects of Video Games

Improves dexterity. Teaches computer literacy. Build muscle through the powerful

combination of concentration. Teach multitasking by shifting variables and

managing multiple objects. Teach quick thinking and ability to make fast

decisions.

Positive Affects of Video Games

Battle games can train players for real life situations.

Provide opportunities for achievement. Allows players to have freedom and connect to

other players. Teaches Accuracy, Strategy, Situational

awareness, Memory, Concentration, Reasoned judgments, Teamwork and how to respond to challenges and frustrations.

Teenagers Opinion on Video games and their parents.

Teens state that their parents do not monitor the amount of time they spend playing video games and that most of their parents are unaware of the content of the games their kids play.

My Parents opinion on Video Games

My mother feels that violent video games make kids more aggressive and that they lead to bad behavior and cause me to get bad grades in school. She says that I spend to much time playing them and is always telling me I need to take a break from them when I get to involved in a game.

Tips for Parents Discuss the games with their children and explain

how the violence in the game is portrayed different then how it occurs in the real world.

Monitor and control the effects that violent video games have on your kids.

Know the ratings of the games your kids play. Do not allow game systems in bedrooms. Set limits on how long the games are allowed to

be played. Supervise kids online game play. Discuss with your kids how they feel about the

things that occurred in the game.

Video Game Ratings

SOURCES

http://ndri.com/article/cause_and_impact_of_video_games_addiction_-211.html

This is a reliable source from Dr. Anderson and his colleagues.

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/do_bad_grades_violent_video_games_violent_kids

This is a reliable source from researches from Ohio State University and the University of Amsterdam.

http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.htmlThis site is reliable as it is posted on a Medical foundation

website.

http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games

An education site and references material from different University’s Psychology departments along with eferences from some Psychotherapis.

PHOTO IMAGE SOURCES

http://www.joystickdivision.com/2011/01/video_game_consoles_get_really.php

http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/23/race-pro-review

http://gamesdbase.com/game/sega-genesis/road-blasters.aspx

http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/12309/article/black-ops-2-revolution-dlc-gameplay-footage-shoots-out/

http://mp1st.com/2013/01/09/far-cry-3-multiplayer-review/

http://news.discovery.com/human/life/this-is-your-brain-on-video-games-infographic.htm