Video games and their impact on children's behavior
Video games are considered a part of modern culture, and they have become very popular around the world. These games encompass many types and forms, such as mobile games, computer games, home gaming consoles, and online multiplayer games. It is certain that video games have an impact on children’s behavior, and there are some studies that indicate a number of positive and negative effects that may occur.On the positive side, video games help children improve their creative skills, critical thinking, cognitive skills, and communication with others. They may also help improve children's abilities to solve problems and make the right decisions.On the negative side, video games can affect children's social behavior, potentially increasing sleep disorders and reducing physical activity and social interaction in the real world. Additionally, some violent video games can lead to an increased tendency towards violence and aggression in children, which is considered a negative effect that requires monitoring by parents.
To mitigate the negative effects of electronic games on children's behavior, parents should monitor the time children spend on electronic games and provide them with effective alternative positive activities.It is clear that the electronic and computer gaming industry has seen significant success in attracting young players. One reason for this success is the ease that these games provide, utilizing simplified control techniques that allow young children to interact with the game easily and enjoyably.Additionally, electronic and computer games offer high-quality graphics, sounds, and advanced special effects, making the game more appealing and enjoyable for young children. They also provide an interactive and engaging experience, allowing children to interact directly with characters and virtual worlds, which helps enhance their imagination and sparks their interest in the game.Furthermore, some electronic and computer games offer educational content related to history, culture, science, and mathematics, helping children learn new information in a fun and interactive way. Children can also improve their language and social skills.
In addition to attracting children, electronic and computerized games also appeal to young people and adults, as they can provide an enjoyable and entertaining experience for anyone who loves gaming. Electronic and computerized games have become a large and successful industry worldwide, and they are used in many fields such as entertainment, education, training, scientific research, and mental health. However, parents and guardians need to be cautious regarding children's use of electronic and computerized games, as they should monitor the duration of play, the content being used, and ensure that it is appropriate for the child's age and consistent with family and community values. Electronic games and modern technology offer great opportunities for entertainment and learning; however, excessive use can lead to some health and social issues. Therefore, parents must take responsibility for guiding their children and managing their time spent on electronic games, limiting their excessive involvement in them. They should also choose games that contain healthy educational and entertaining content, set specific times for playing, and encourage children to engage in other outdoor activities while developing their social and creative skills.
Studies indicate that there is a correlation between the repeated practice of violent and aggressive games and aggressive behavior in children. Although sports, war, and fighting games may be popular among boys, it is important to ensure that these games do not promote violence and aggression.As for electronic games, they may contain violent content and are designed to capture children's attention, which means that children may be exposed to negative influences when they play these games repeatedly. Therefore, it is important for parents to be cautious when choosing the games they allow their children to play, ensuring that they contain age-appropriate content and promote positive values.Parents and the community, in general, should focus on encouraging children to engage in creative and interactive activities that foster positive values such as cooperation, tolerance, learning, and personal development. Educational games, puzzle games, and creative interactive games can be used as a means to achieve this. Parents should also work on guiding children and teaching them values of respect, tolerance, responsibility, and other positive values that assist.
It can be said that video games have a contradictory effect on children; they lead them to avoid social interaction and real communication with others, but at the same time, they teach them technology and enhance their will to achieve success and victory.However, we must keep in mind that video games cannot replace real social communication with friends and family. The use of video games should be limited, and children should be encouraged to participate in social activities such as sports, music, arts, and group games. Furthermore, parents should be aware of the games their children are playing and monitor them regularly to ensure they are not becoming addicted to gaming and that it does not negatively impact their personal and social lives.Video games make children tend toward social isolation and withdrawal, which negatively affects their intellectual, personal, and social development. Instead of sitting in front of the television with family or engaging in conversation with them, they choose to play games, thus preferring gaming over talking with family, which is what we explored through our research. On the other hand, these games teach.
Video games make children more determined to achieve success, victory, and ambition. Their losses in games and insistence on winning develop their will to succeed and win, which impacts their future aspirations and determination to achieve their goals and plan their lives. However, we must understand that the impact of video games largely depends on how they are used and the supervision provided by parents and educators. Therefore, we should be cautious in analyzing the effects of video games in general, and we should consider the context of their use. The study highlighted that video games are not innocent entertainment; they are governed by the value system of their producers, which is not the same as that of Arab society. According to Robert Merton's concept, they perform both manifest and latent functions; the manifest function is entertainment, while the latent ones include spreading the culture of their producers and promoting violence and moral corruption.
Finally, electronic and computerized games also provide advanced educational and developmental tools for young children, allowing them to learn new skills such as planning, organizing, problem-solving, and memory improvement. This helps enhance learning and development that assists children in developing their skills and abilities for real life.References:Ali (Ahmed), The Child Between Love of Imitation and Obstacles to Renewal, Dar Al-Huda, Jordan, 2006.Hossni Al-Sahrouri (Maha), Electronic Games in the Age of Globalization, Their Pros and Cons, First Edition, Dar Al-Masira, Amman, Jordan, 1428-2008.Zakaria Al-Ramadi (Amani), Arabic Libraries and the Horizons of Information Technology, Alexandria Book Center, Alexandria, Egypt, 2008.Salama (Fadl), The Psychology of Play in Children, Dar Osama, Arab East Publishing House, Jordan.
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