by It will hurt your eyes, will affect your eyesight, will rotten your brain, will make you paralyzed such things we hear when our parents see us with that gaming controller in your hand, “eyes glued to the screen, heartbeat and mind racing to finish the level and eyes eagerly twinkling to see what next level would be like”. Such is the condition of a gamer, and it is not only with kids nowadays but also elders. For elders it is perfect way to relax and leisure some time, gives them a sense of achievement in virtual world while they are underachievers in real life.
History Of Gaming
The concept of gaming dates back to 1960’s or 70’s, before that academic games were introduced in 1950’s for research purposes, it reached mainstream popularity in 1970’s and 80’s when gaming console, joysticks, small screen keyboard, computer games were introduced and since then gaming became the main source of entertainment and part of the modern culture. With games now being available in audio and visual form they became a big hit in 1980’s.
Earliest game introduced was “SpaceWar” in 1970 and it was huge success, Early Arcade Games developed from 1972 to 1978, this period is considered as the “Golden Age” of gaming as video arcades with large graphic decorated coin operated machines were setup in malls and shopping places, people would shell out a lot of money to play these games.
With advancement in technology and introduction of computers and a need for more clear graphics and realistic experience different gaming consoles like Sony Play Stations, Xbox are available and are some popular companies having a major share in the market
The addiction to video games dates back to 1970’s but with passage of time this addiction nurtured into a routine of life. Effects of video games has been a never-ending debate since last 30 years between parents’ researchers’ & scientists and all of them with their own set of Pro’s and Con’s.
Positive Effects of Gaming
- Enhance Creativity And Problem Solving-
- Quick thinking and Decision making
- Increasing Accuracy
- Quick strategy making
- Perseverance
- Estimating Skills
- Increased Concentration
- Responding to Challenges
- Teamwork & Cooperation
- Introduces Technology to Kids
According to recent research the effect on brain after playing video games for an hour or two has same effect as learning or reading something. Gaming does have some positive effects as it helps you skip the reality and enter into a virtual world for a change with development of other skills. But as they say overdose of anything can have negative repercussion.
Negative Effects Of Gaming
- Social Isolation
- Exposure to violent Crimes
- Confusion Between reality and fantasy
- Negative impact on academics
- Health problems
- Change in Psychological behavior
- Addiction to video games
- Wastage of time
In this technologically advanced and junk food ridden world we are living in, playing outdoor games is healthy thing to do instead of sitting indoors playing video games. These video games are the reason young children suffer from these chronic diseases like obesity, postural and muscular disorder at such a young age. Sitting back at home relaxing and playing video games at home is more convenient option for them instead of playing outside.
Conclusion
As per reports and other surveys the negative effects is way more and worse than the positive effects, and most vulnerable group is the kids specially young boys, it is this group which is affected by video games once they are exposed to the glitz and glamour of video games there’s no turning back.
There is a viscous circle that has been created by these big gaming companies as they tend to excite the user by bringing in more series and updates which induces user to waste money and time, the kids are the ones who are affected by this the most as they play these violent hate crime games (like-GTA and Other fast car racing games) and learn some bad values and habits, they tend to confuse virtuality with reality which induces them to stay indoors and fully cutting themselves off from the outside world. This addiction to gaming grows slowly and gradually makes an individual into a sitting dummy with a console in his hand.
