Negative Health Effects of Video Games Jaydan H

Negative Health Effects of Video Games Jaydan H. January 21, 2020 Media Studies 20

Video Game Addiction v Playing video games can be fun, whether on your phone or on a console like Xbox. Games provide entertainment and can even be positive in moderation. v However, sometimes people play video games so often that they get addicted. When they are addicted, they have a constant craving for the thrills on the screen. v When addicts go without video games for a while, they start to get upset and restless. v Video game addictions have many negative effects on your health. It is important for everybody to learn about these effects so they can avoid becoming addicted.

Signs of Video Game Addiction 1. Denial of having an issue 2. Spending too much money on games 3. Not interested in other activities 4. Gaming for long periods of time 5. Cannot accept failure 6. Hide away and play games 7. Constantly playing/thinking about games *3

Video Game Addiction Statistics Approximately 9% of 3034 children in one study displayed signs of video game addiction. Students addicted to video games have lower grades in school than their friends who aren’t addicted. Online role-playing games are more likely to result in video game addiction than other computer game genres. *4, 6

1. Too Much Spending v Video games cost money, and addicts don’t realize how much they spend. Between membership subscriptions, better equipment, and new games, there is so much to buy! v People lose a lot of hard-earned money from the costs surrounding video games. If you are a kid, then you most likely use your parents’ money, and they won’t be too happy if you spend it all. *7

2. Aggression Studies have shown that video games increase aggression, especially in younger kids. Games also make some kids think that violence is okay. Toddlers who play video games get confused on what is reality and what is fantasy. *1

3. Loss of Sleep Playing games late into the night interferes with the amount of sleep you get. Kids need 9 -10 hours per night, but few actually get this many. Video games are often a reason for that. Even those who turn off the lights at a normal time struggle to fall asleep because of the light exposure and the intense graphics. Their minds are running too fast for them to wind down. *1

v Sitting down and playing games for hours on end means kids are getting less exercise. They rarely even stretch. v Pains can develop in your shoulders, neck, back, fingers, arms, and more. This can lead to long-term health issues. v It is always good to take breaks, go for walks, or massage your muscles. 4. Muscle Pains *1

5. Unhealthy Eating/Obesity v Same as muscle pains, kids who sit on the couch and play video games for multiple hours are less likely to choose healthy snacks. They binge on potato chips or candy. v Some youth who do select healthy snacks still miss or delay regular meals, like supper. v Over time, all this unhealthy eating or missing of meals takes a toll on childrens’ bodies. They are in a crucial stage of their development, so this could be really bad. Some could become overweight or obese. *1

6. Eye Problems LOOKING AT A SCREEN CONTINUOUSLY WILL WEAKEN OR DAMAGE YOUR EYES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A CONTRAST AT NIGHT. ALL THE GRAPHICS CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR OUR EYES AND, AS A RESULT, OUR BRAIN TOO. SCREENS DECREASE GOOD VISION AND CAUSE DRYNESS OR ITCHINESS IN OUR EYES. *2

7. Loneliness Staying inside all day and playing games alone can lead to feelings of loneliness. Sure, you might be talking to friends online, but that is not the same as in-person interaction. Kids can lose a sense of what friendship means or, because they don’t go out often, lose friendships and begin to feel abandoned. *3

8. Poor Personal Hygiene SITTING AROUND ALL DAY AND FOCUSING ON GAMING MAKES SOME KIDS FORGET ABOUT HYGIENE. THEY STOP SHOWERING, WASHING THEIR HANDS, CHANGING THEIR CLOTHES, AND CLEANING UP THEIR AREAS. *5 THIS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH FRIENDS OR WHEN YOU ARE AT SCHOOL. PEOPLE WON’T WANT TO BE AROUND YOU IF YOU STINK!

Short Video https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=hajhk. Xunse. U

Sites Used 1. https: //www. healthcentral. com/slideshow/ways-video-games-are-bad-for-your-health 2. https: //www. peertechz. com/articles/doi 10. 17352 -2455 -3484. 000025 -jamts. php 3. https: //parenting. firstcry. com/articles/video-games-impact-on-children-the-good-andthe-bad/ 4. http: //www. kidpointz. com/video-game-addiction/ 5. https: //www. psychguides. com/behavioral-disorders/video-game-addiction/ 6. http: //www. techaddiction. ca/video_game_addiction_statistics. html 7. https: //nollytech. com/negative-effects-of-video-games/#Money_misuse