Impact of Video Game Addiction on Individuals and Societies

The essay discusses the ill effects of video games on individuals and societies, affecting the whole generation. It argues that video games have affected the contemporary virtual world of children and adults in several positive and negative ways as the creativity of children is hampered.

Running head: IMPACT OF VIDEO GAME
VIDEO GAME ADDICTION
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author's Note:

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The aim of this essay is to discuss the ill effectsof video games on the individuals and
societiesaffecting the whole generation. It not only affects the children physically and mentally
but alsoleads to their affectedbehavioralgrowth. Video game in this technological world has
become the favoritepastimeof the adolescents, which ultimately affects the individuals, societies
and might even affect the future generation. Secondly, the effects of the video games have been
both positive and negative. Thirdly, it also can be a non-issue if seen to have positive effect on
the individual and societiesbut as an addiction this can never be supported. The essay thus aims
to argue that video games have affected the contemporary virtual world of the children and
adults in several positive and negative ways as the creativity of the children is hampered.
As mentioned by Zastrow (2017), the adolescentsandthe children are the most affected
groupin the increasing rate of addictiontowards different types of video game in the
society.Theirvulnerabilityisclearly visible as their development is highly influenced by their
environment and they are considering video games as an influential story teller for their
generation (Bourgonjon et al., 2016). This may be the reason for the technological advancement
that has motivated this particular vulnerable group to indulge in excessive video games. This
dissuades the vulnerable group to take part in any type of extracurricular activities other than
gaming (Jalink et al., 2014). As mentioned by Adachi and Willoughby(2017),this addiction is
reducing the social participation of the children and younger people. In addition to this, the
destructive video games are increasingphysical and verbal aggressionamong these people,which
is affecting their moralities, values and increasing violence in the society (Velez et al., 2014).In
the extensive studies about this behavioral change among the young generation, the critics have
pointed out that frequent exposure to the violent video games in childhood, leads to display of
aggression in life like spouse abuse and physical assaults(Nuic et al., 2018).Crimes, in particular

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mass shootings have been heavily influenced by violent video games as many real-world
examples suggest. The shooter of the February 2014 Stoneman Douglas High School shootings
in Florida had confessed being addicted to first-person shooter games. Further, the case of the
18-year old shooter of Munich in Germany also adds concern to the issue(Scutti, 2018). Through
these games, the children are being given magnetic resonance imaging directly to the
brains,which ultimately increases the emotion arousal factors anddecreasesthe activity in brain
areas,which basicallyresults in inhibition, self-control and attention (Jalink et al., 2014).This
scientific fact must be made public and parents should be made aware of the ill effects of the
video games.Some of the video games send a negative message though the portrayal of large
aggressive characters and promote destruction to be the answer of negotiation and petty matters.
The generation therefore, has been imitating scenes from the games and applying in the real-life
situationsas has been evident from the instances discussed in above sections.Their aggressive and
violent behavior shows this.With changing time and progress of technology, video games are
becoming more likereal life and engaging which is affecting the physical and
psychologicalhealth of the victimsof the negative influence of video games (Zastrow, 2017).
Due to excessiveindulgence in the video game, the children stop taking part in the social
activities or sports. This reduces their ability of communication and personal interaction and
directly harmstheirstudies and reduces theirability to be creative (Granic et al., 2014). Addiction
of video games affects the heath of the children. Obesity is one of the most important effects of
video game (Zastrow, 2017).According to Calvert, Staiano and Bond (2013), obesity amongst
children in the US between 6-11 years of age has “increased from 7% in 1980 to 20% in
2008”.Playing video games for longer duration, also hampers the sleep cycle of the
individualsresulting in insomnia. As pointed out by Jalink et al. (2014) this ultimately leads to

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the hypoactive immune system affecting the growthofthe children. In addition to this, back pains
due to sitting at a stretch for playing games is a common factor for the vulnerable groups, which
though seem minor ailments initially, become deadly with the progress of time. This is also
associated with the psychological health of the affected group. As mentioned before, the violence
shown in the most popular games is reducing the emotions of the children preventing all
including mental growth.They are becoming violent and aggressive. They are even insulting their
parents and beating them up for minor family conflicts.It is indeed important to fix this.The
generationaddicted by excessiveplaying of video games, suffer from bad relationships. However,
these issues will be mitigated effectively if the video gaming companies make their games
according to the guidelines which will affect the mind of the children less (Granic et al., 2014).
The video game companies must fix standard rules that will lead them to build up such games
effecting positively on the minds of the children.
According toGreitemeyer andMügge (2014),there are also positive aspects present in the
video gaming process. Thesepositive sides must be promoted so that the ill effect of this type of
addiction can be reduced.A study conducted by Markey, Markey and French (2015)has revealed
thatcontrary to the popular belief, no evidence in the rise of crimes in the American society due
to violent videogame addictions has been found.Videogames in fact exert a positive influence on
children and younger people. Their reflex power and cognitive functioning have increased a lot
due to their expertise in the video shooting games(Markey, Markey and French, 2015).Video
games need perfectpsychological actions and accuracy that allow the players to make instant and
smart decisionsin spit second. Moreover, they also remain ready for unexpected changes in the
game. These aspects of video gaming are supported by the critics who also find out, the
increased tolerance with destructive images reduces the cases of emotional dependency on others

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and children become mature in such cases(Markey, Markey and French, 2015). The gamers
increase their abilities tosolve their own problemswithdeveloped strategy making abilities. As
mentioned byGranic et al. (2014), thechildren playing the video games will surely live a better
life as they will learn to take the several challenges and response to those challenges as
well.With enhanced skills like multitasking, concentration and coordination amongst others from
videogames, children will be able to overcome life challenges in the future, Granic et al. (2014)
further assert.As the theory of incremental intelligence relates, some of the video games will help
to increase their concentration or focus. This can be developed with time and effort thus the
children get the ideal ground foracquiring such traits of thought (Nuic et al., 2018). The children
get the opportunity to enjoy exceptionalvirtualreality that increases their creativity. Therefore, if
utilized properly, the negative issues of video game can be transformed into positive ones and the
generation along with society will be benefitted.
Therefore, video gaming has become one of the most important barriers of complete
physical, mental and behavioral development among the children; there are some positive sides
also which needs to be exploited so that the children can enjoy the gaming experienceinone hand
and learn to balance their lives on the other. Despite these factors, it should be kept in mindalso
that any typesof addiction areharmful hence the parents should control their children so that they
do not become the victims of video game addiction.

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