Video Games - Good or Bad?

As I have been researching this topic, I have been overwhelmed by the vast range of both positive and negative impacts that video games have on young people. I used Bubbl to assist me with mapping out the arguments that I am going to focus on, which I have found are the most relevant of the many arguments I have come across. This is the overall map of my arguments;

Positive impacts of video gaming include a range of benefits such as development in learning skills including memory, cognitive skills, and quicker decision making (Prot, McDonald, Anderson & Gentile 2012, p. 652). It also enhances creativity in children (Hutten & Sundar 2010, p. 294), and opens a gateway for future opportunities through the skills gained through understanding technology and the huge market demand for video gaming (Tumbokon 2011).

Negative impacts of video gaming include an increase in aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviour (Funk 2005, p. 402) to the point where video games are "training children to kill" (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 2006, p. 13), and causing desensitization and a decrease in social empathy (Funk 2005, p. 400). Video games can be detrimental to school performance because kids spend time playing rather than doing homework (Hastings, Karas, Winsler, Way, Madigan & Tyler 2009, p. 638). Lastly, video gaming is also linked to obesity because kids spend more time indoors on technology than outdoors excercising (Gentile 2005, p. 11).

There is so much more that I have found, and I am full of ideas for this essay, so stay tuned for a riveting essay on the controversial and intricate topic of video games and health!



Reference List:

Funk, JB 2005, ‘Video Games’, Adolescent Medicine Clinics, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 395-411, viewed 21 September 2012, via ProQuest Central database

Gentile, DA 2005, ‘The Effects of Video Games on Children: What Parents Need to Know’, Pediatrics for Parents, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 10-11, viewed 21 September 2012, via ProQuest Central database

Hastings, E, Karas, T, Winsler, A, Way, E, Madigan, A & Tyler, S 2009, ‘Young Children's Video/Computer Game Use: Relations with School Performance and Behavior’, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 638-649, viewed 21 September 2012, via Informa Healthcare database, DOI 10.1080/01612840903050414

Hoerrner, M & Hoerrner, K 2006, ‘Video Game Violence’, Children’s Voice, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 12-14, viewed 21 September 2012, via ProQuest Central database

Hutten, E & Sundar, S 2010, ‘Can Video Games Enhance Creativity? Effects of Emotion Generated by Dance Dance Revolution’, Creativity Research Journal, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 294-303, viewed 21 September 2012, via Taylor & Francis Online database, DOI 10.1080/10400419.2010.503540

Prot, S, McDonald, K, Anderson, C & Gentile, D 2012, ‘Video Games’, Pediatric Clinics of North America, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 647-658, viewed 21 September 2012, via MD Consult Australia database

Tumbokon, C 2011, The Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games, viewed 21 September 2012, <http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games>