Effects of violent video games on children

We are living in the 21st century, and technology is the main force of our lives. Video games, which are a fantastic output of technological advancement, are ranked at the top of children's favourite pastimes today. Some of these games are so addictive and violent that they can lead our youngsters to horrifying self-annihilation and criminal activities. Most of these games negatively affect their behaviour and psychology, health, education and career.

It is found that children who play violent video games regularly tend to become rude, violent, and aggressive in nature. They are less cooperative, less focused, and inclined to become introverts. They face communication difficulties with family members. It is also found that school performance of these children is not up to the mark. Due to poor grades in the academic life, they may finish up with poor careers or even remain unemployed. These are adverse effects of violent video games on children. Also, they engage in fights with their peers, and suffer from reduced amounts of slow-wave sleep.

So it is for parents to keep a strict watch on the sorts of online games their children play, and convince them to keep away from dangerous games. Teachers and the media too have to play their roles in preventing addictive and harmful video games.

Soheb Bashar,

Student of School of Business and Economics (SBE),

North-South University, Dhaka,

[email protected]