Parenting May Be Key in Children’s Use of Video Games
Video games are different from other forms of media, because the child is an active participant. Unlike watching a movie or a TV show, the child is actively making choices and weighing options. He is rewarded for certain behaviors, which may range from solving a puzzle to murdering an innocent bystander, depending on the game.
A controversial new research has proved that excessive playing of games can actually stunt the growth of a human brain. Brain-mapping expert Professor Ryuta Kawashima and his team at Tohoku University in Japan measured the level of brain activity in teenagers playing a Nintendo game and compared it with those who played other arithmetic games. It was concluded that the Nintendo game stimulated activity only in the parts of the brain associated with vision and movement. While arithmetic games stimulated brain activity in both the left and right hemispheres of the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe of the brain is associated with learning, memory and emotion and continues to develop till the age of 20. Hence it is a matter of concern. Though the games do provide certain benefits, the question is how much and is it really worthwhile.
Parents need to keep track of how much time their children spend in front of the screen playing games and also as to what type of games they play. Every aspect has its advantages and disadvantages; so is the law of nature. What we can do is try to maintain a balance and get the best of what it has to offer, be it nature or technology.
1 comment:
This debate is complex in Media Studies - you need to consider audience theory (are we active or passive?) - much research is govt funded and has it's own agenda. I have information on a range of studies into media and violence you can look at.
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