Evaluating Negative Impact of Digital Play on Children's Development

This essay examines the negative impacts of increased digital play on children's development, focusing on the effects on physical, mental, and social aspects. It discusses how excessive digital play can hinder physical growth by reducing physical activity, leading to health issues like obesity and poor posture. The essay also explores the adverse effects on mental development, such as reduced attention spans and increased risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it highlights the addictive nature of digital games and their potential to impact cognitive functions. The essay references various studies and research works to support its arguments, emphasizing the need for parents to supervise children's digital play to mitigate the negative consequences and promote overall well-being.

Running head: PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY: A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF
INCREASED DIGITAL PLAY ON CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
Introduction
As stated by Arnott (2016), the emergence of the different digital media platforms and
the other technologies which are being extensively used by the contemporary individuals had
drastically changed the lives of the contemporary individuals when compared to those of a few
generations back. Bochicchio et al. (2018) are of the viewpoint that the effect of the different
kinds of digital medias is perceptible at all levels of the life of the individuals be it the manner in
which they shop presently, interact with their friends and family members, the nature of jobs that
they are present doing and others. In this relation, it needs to be said that an important impact of
the emergence of the different digital media is the fact that unlike the earlier times wherein the
children used to indulge in different kinds of outdoor games and the indoor games presently it is
seen that they are indulging on the different digital media games or plays (Flynn, Richert &
Wartella, 2019).
Recent researches have shown that there are both positive and negative effects associated
with the extensive usage of the digital games by the children and thus it becomes important for
the parents to allow the children to play the online or for that matter the digital games only under
proper supervision so that the children are not getting adversely affected by the same (Mustola et
al., 2018). For instance, it had been seen that the different digital games develop the cognitive
abilities, problem solving abilities, hand-eye coordination of the children and others (Nevski &
Siibak, 2016). However, at the same time it seen that extensive exposure to the same can
adversely affect the physical, mental and the social development of the children and thereby
adversely affect their overall development (Radesky & Christakis, 2016). More importantly, the
negative effects of the increased digital play on the development of the children, be it, their
physical, mental or social development far outweigh the positive impacts of the same on the

2PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
development of the children and thus it becomes important for the parents to reduce the time that
their children spend on digital play. The purpose of this essay is to undertake an analysis of the
negative impact of increased digital play on the development of the children while highlighting
both the positive and the negative effects of the same on the physical, mental and the social
development of the children.
Digital Play and Physical Development of the Children
Huda et al. (2017) are of the viewpoint that the increasing amount of digital plays or
digital games that the children are playing in the present times rather than the outdoor games or
the indoor games had adversely affected the physical development or for that matter the physical
growth of the children. Adding to this, Leung, Choi and Yuen (2019) have noted that the primary
idea behind the different outdoor games or for that matter the games which required a substantial
amount of physical activity that the children used to play in the earlier times was to facilitate the
physical development of the children. In this relation, it needs to be said that the children are
required to perform various kinds of physical tasks as well as activities which in turn would
facilitate the growth of their muscles and also organs (Wright & Embrick, 2018). This is
important since the maximum amount of growth of the different body organs along with the
muscles takes place in the childhood stage and if adequate physical activities or exercises are not
being performed by the children then this can adversely affect their physical growth which in
turn can have life-long repercussions for the children (Anderson & Subrahmanyam, 2017). These
in short are some of the most important reasons because of which the parents as well as the
teachers of the children insisted that the children should indulge in various kinds of games which
require a substantial amount of physical activity or for that matter the movement of the body.

3PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
However, presently it had been seen that because of the over-indulgence of the children
in the different kinds of online or digital games particularly the video games the children are not
indulging in adequate amount of physical activities which in turn had stunted the physical growth
of the children (Radesky & Zuckerman, 2016). In this relation, it needs to be said that the famous
book “The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationship in the Digital Age” of
Catherine Steiner-Adair clearly indicate that the over-indulgence of the children in the different
kinds of digital games like “Candy Crush”, “Angry Birds”, “Temple Run” and others by
substantially reducing the time that they spend on different outdoor games had given rise to
different kinds of health issues like obesity, improper posture, inadequate muscle and bone
growth and others (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2019). The important issue arises since it had been
seen that the majority of these health issues faced by the children on the score of their extensive
exposure to different kinds of online games or digital games can have lifelong repercussions
which in turn can adversely affect the quality of life that the children are likely to led in the latter
part of their lives (Tetik et al., 2018). In the light of these aspects, it can be said that the different
kinds of online games or for that matter the digital games by reducing the focus of the children
from the outdoor games or the games which require a substantial amount of physical activity had
given rise to various health issues in them which in turn had adversely affected the physical
growth of the children as well.
According to Nuttall et al. (2019), there are various positive aspects of the extensive
usage of online games or digital games on the physical development of the children as well.
Adding to this, Aldhafeeri, Palaiologou and Folorunsho (2016) have noted that an important
benefit offered by the over-indulgence of the children in the different digital games can be
attributed to the fact that the fast-paced nature of the digital games substantially enhances the

4PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
hormone secretion within the body of the children. This is important since biological research
works have shown that the hormones are responsible for the effective completion of the different
biological functioning of the human body like digestion, metabolism and others which in turn
directly affect the growth or for that matter the development of the children (Mavoa, Carter &
Gibbs, 2018). For instance, it had been seen that there are many children who are not being to
attain the desired level of physical growth because of the inadequate amount of hormone
secretion in their body which in turn can give rise to various serious health issues in the later part
of their adult life. More importantly, this in turn facilitates the effective development or the
growth of the different body organs of the children which in turn ensures the fact that the
children are being able to attain the desired level of growth (Straker et al., 2018). This as a matter
of fact is being supported by the research works conducted by Berlin’s Max Planck Institute for
Human Development and St. Hedwig-Hospital which clearly indicate the fact that although the
parents of the children consider digital games as no more than junk food yet they substantially
contribute towards the effective physical development of the children by facilitating the adequate
growth of the different organs of the body (Lobel et al., 2019). These in short are some of the
most important benefits that the exposure to various kinds of digital games offers to the children
in terms of their physical growth.
Digital Play and the Mental Development of the Children
Ellison and Solomon (2018) are of the viewpoint that the most important negative effects
of the exposure to the different kinds of online or the digital games can be attributed to the
damage that they cause to the mental growth or for that matter the cognitive development of the
children. In this relation, it needs to be said that the individuals are being able to attain the
maximum amount of mental growth or for that matter the cognitive development in their

5PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
childhood and they are not being able to attain the required mental or the cognitive development
during the childhood then it can have a lifelong effect on the individuals (Gerwin, Kaliebe &
Daigle, 2018). Adding to this, Wolf et al. (2018) have noted that the different digital games are
highly addictive in nature and thus it is seen that the children after a brief exposure to the same
become completely addicted to the same. As a matter of fact, the research works conducted by
the University of York and also the Royal Society to determine the impact of the digital games
on the mental development of the children indicates the fact that a mere exposure of one hour
everyday for a week can make the children addicted to the digital games (Whitebread et al.,
2017). This in turn adversely affects the mental growth or for that matter the development of the
children. For instance, it had been seen that increased exposure to the different digital games
substantially reduces the attention span of the children which in turn makes it very difficult to
concentrate of their studies or for that matter the things that are being taught to them in their
educational institutions (Troseth, Russo & Strouse, 2016). A study conducted by “Minneapolis-
based National Institute for Media and the Family” revealed the fact that the children with
extreme exposure to different kinds of digital games find it very difficult to concentrate on their
studies which manifests in their poor academic performance (Homer et al., 2018). More
importantly, an analysis of the brain of the children addicted to different kinds of digital games
reveals the fact that the digital games have the same impact on the brain of the children that the
drugs, alcohols and other kinds of substances have on the same (Hosokawa & Katsura, 2018). As
a matter of fact, studies have revealed the fact that the children with a high level of digital game
addiction in their children are more likely to turn towards the consumption of different kinds of
drugs as well as substances in their adult life.

6PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
According to Fairlie and Kalil (2017), extensive exposure to different kinds of digital
games also gives rise to various mental health issues in the children right from an early age.
Chassiakos et al. (2016) are of the viewpoint that the aggressive as well as the fast-paced world
which they experience in the different digital games makes them highly dissatisfied with the real
world around them and this in turn gives rise to various kinds of mental health issues. A research
conducted by Jay Hull in the year 2015 on 17,000 children from the four nations of USA,
Germany, Canada and Japan revealed the fact that the children with a high level of exposure to
different kinds of video games like “Call of Duty”, “Manhunt” and others are more likely to
develop anxiety and depression (Huber et al., 2016). This if not treated properly can give rise to
different kinds of serious kinds of mental health issues like bipolar disorder, personality disorder,
schizophrenia, acute depression and others which in turn can substantially reduce the quality of
their life (Shin & Li, 2017). Furthermore, a study by researchers at the North Carolina State
University, New York and the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology indicated the fact
that extensive exposure to different kinds of digital games accelerate the growth rate of the grey
cells of the brain of the children which in turn reduces the size of the hippocampus which in turn
can give rise to some serious mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD
and others (Terras & Ramsay, 2016). In this regard, it needs to be said that these mental health
issues can have lifelong impact on the life of the individuals and thus it becomes important for
the parents to supervise the digital play time of their children because of the adverse effect that it
had on the mental development of their children.
Savina et al. (2017) are of the viewpoint that there are various benefits or advantages that
the children stand to gain by indulging in different kinds of digital games which in turn
facilitated the growth of their mental abilities. Adding to this, Bochicchio et al. (2018) have

7PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
noted that the exposure of the children to different digital games enhances their hand-eye
coordination, their problem solving abilities, critical decision making and others which in turn
facilitates the development of their cognitive abilities. In this relation, it needs to be said that
these are some of the most important benefits that the children are not being able to derive if they
participate solely on the different outdoor games or for that matter the games entails a significant
amount of physical activity or exercise (Mustola et al., 2018). A study undertaken by the
Michigan State University’s Children and Technology Project reveals the fact that exposure to
different kinds of digital games enhances the creativity of the children, enhances their perception
of complexity of the modern world, improves their eyesight, enhances their quick thinking
abilities and also decision making abilities while offering numerous other benefits to them
(Flynn, Richert & Wartella, 2019). As a matter of fact, a study undertaken by the University of
Rochester reveals the fact that the children with a high level of digital game exposure are being
able to make decisions 25% times faster than the children who are not exposed to the digital
games (Arnott, 2016). This in turn helps the children to perform academically well and also in
the other aspects of their life as well. On the other hand, it had also been seen that exposure to
the digital games also substantially boosts the confidence as well as the self-esteem of the
children since the environment or for that matter the world that they experience in the digital
games is devoid of racism, bullying, discrimination, stigmatization and other kinds of societal
evils that they normally have to face within the real world (Nevski & Siibak, 2016). These in
short are some of the most important benefits that the children stand to get through their
increased digital play time and these in turn have the potential to facilitate the mental
development of the children as well.

8PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
Digital Play and the Social Development of the Children
According to Huda et al. (2017), along with the impact that the digital play has on the
mental and the physical development of the children, it is seen that digital play also has a
profound impact of the social development of the children. Radesky and Christakis (2016) are of
the viewpoint that the social development of the children is important since it helps the children
to acquire the social skills which are likely to help them to become better members of the society
and also undertake meaningful interactions with the different members of the society. However,
it had been seen that increased exposure to different digital games adversely affects the
acquisition of the different effective social skills and often gives rise to the acquisition of the
skills which are not considered to be idea by the society (Aldhafeeri, Palaiologou & Folorunsho,
2016). For instance, within the majority of the digital games dystopian worlds are being
portrayed wherein the majority of the characters commonly use offensive language, slangs and
others (Leung, Choi & Yuen, 2019). Thus, extensive exposure to these games makes the children
think that these offensive languages, slangs and others are the most appropriate way of
interacting with their social peers and this is not always being welcomed by the different
individuals. The resultant effect of this is that the children often find it very difficult to make
friends or for that matter to undertake meaningful interactions with the other members of the
society because of the offensive or the violent language that they use (Wright & Embrick, 2018).
On the other hand, it had also been seen that the violent as well as the aggressive environment
which is being depicted in the different digital games gives rise to violent thoughts as well as
actions on the part of the children which as a matter of fact is not always welcomed by the
individuals (Anderson & Subrahmanyam, 2017).

9PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
In this relation, the research work conducted by Stentson University psychologist’s
Christopher Ferguson is important to note since the results of the study clearly indicate that the
increased exposure of the children to the different digital games not only enhances the aggressive
thoughts as well as actions but also makes them to prone to indulge in various kinds of juvenile
crimes (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2019). More importantly, if adequate attention is not being
given for the rectification of this aggressive behavior of the children then in the latter part of
their life this can take serious connotations as well (Radesky & Zuckerman, 2016). As a matter
of fact, presently it had been seen that a substantial number of knife crimes, gun violence and
others are being committed by the individuals who have a history of juvenile crime (Tetik et al.,
2018). Mavoa, Carter and Gibbs (2018) are of the viewpoint that the majority of the digital
games show a world wherein the values, morals, ethics and other aspects which are actually
important within the contemporary human society are of no significance. Thus, the children often
get the idea that these values are of no significance and thereby start to disregard the same. For
instance, it had been seen that the children with a high level of digital game addiction are likely
to disregard the rules or for that matter the norms of the society, disrespect girls and indulge in
other kinds of similar actions which in turn make them completely incompatible within the
contemporary society and thereby adversely affect their social development as well (Ellison, &
Solomon, 2018). The warning given by Jay Hull on the basis of the study which he conducted on
the impact of “Manhunt”, “Call of Duty” and other similar games on the development of children
is important to note in this regard “If your kids are playing these games, either these games are
having a warping effect on right and wrong or they have a warped sense of right or wrong and
that’s why they are attracted to these games. Either way you should be concerned about it”
(Nuttall et al., 2019). These in short are some of the most important adverse effects of increase

10PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
exposure to different digital games on the social development of the children because of which it
is important for the parent to regulate as well as supervise the time that their children spend
playing the digital games.
Lobel et al. (2019) are of the viewpoint that in contrast to the idea held by the majority of
the individuals it is seen that increased exposure to the different kinds of digital games
contributes positively towards the social development of the children. Adding to this, Whitebread
et al. (2017) have noted that an important benefit offered by the exposure to the various digital
games to the children can be attributed to the fact that it helps the children to understand the
manner in which they are required to behave in the different social situations. In this relation, it
needs to be said that an important aspects of the different digital games is the fact that it presents
diverse scenarios or situations to the children and this in turn is an important factor which makes
the children glued to the same (Hosokawa & Katsura, 2018). More importantly, while deriving
the required entertainment from the different situations the children are also being able to learn
significant new details regarding the manner in which they need to behave in similar situations in
real life (Troseth, Russo & Strouse, 2016). Furthermore, it had also been seen that the children
take the help of the new social skills as well as the values that they have obtained from the
different digital games in the real life situations or the scenarios (Homer et al., 2018). This in
turn while substantially enhancing the social abilities of the children also helps them to undertake
meaningful interactions with the other members of the society which in turn substantially
enhances the value of their life as well. Moreover, studies have found that extensive exposure to
different kinds of digital games also enhances the situational awareness of the children which in
turn helps them to perceive the things around around them in an effective manner (Aldhafeeri,
Palaiologou & Folorunsho, 2016). This is important since in the context of the majority of the

11PERSPECTIVES ON PLAY
children it is seen that they are not being able to perceive or for that matter often fail to have an
awareness regarding the situation in which they find themselves and this in turn adversely affects
the ability of the children to react to the different situations in a timely and effective manner
(Fairlie & Kalil, 2017). This particular skill becomes even more important in the particular
context of the adults because of the dynamic world in which they have to work and also to
survive. Thus, it becomes all the more important for the children to acquire this particular skill
right from an early age so as to be able to effectively use the same when they become adults .
These in short are some of the most important benefits that the children stand to gain in terms of
social development through the increased amount of time that they spend on playing the different
digital games.
Conclusion
To conclude, over the years it had been seen that different studies have tried to focus on
the manner in which playing digital games affects the physical, mental and the social
development of the children. This is important since unlike the earlier times it is seen that the
children are spending the majority of their time on playing different digital games rather than the
outdoor games which used to be the favorite pastime of the children a few decades ago.
However, the above discussion clearly indicates the fact that over-indulge in the different kinds
of digital games rather than positively affecting the social, mental and the physical development
of the children negatively affects the same. For instance, indulge in the different digital games
had significantly reduced the physical activities of the children because of which in the recent
times they have become susceptible to various health issues like obesity, posture issues and
others. These in turn have adversely affected the physical development of the children. On the
other hand, it had also been seen that exposure to the different digital games have enhanced the