By Nancy Ghattas S

Integral part of children and adult lives Average amount of playing time is around 13 hrs per week Most popular games contains violence. Children prefer to play the violent games In children playing video games is the heaviest between the ages of More boys play than girls.

Effects may include social, anti-social, psychological, physical and cognitive behaviours. Effects can be both positive and negative. The hyperlink below is a short video on the effects of video games on behaviour. Please view the first 3 minutes. Effects of video games on behaviour

A study conducted by Greitemeyer and Mugge (2014) has found that exposure to video games has an effect on social behaviour and related cognitive factors. Exposure to violent games increases aggression and decreases prosocial behaviours. The case for playing pro-social games has the opposite affect. It decreases aggression and increases prosocial behaviours.

Violent video games promote aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It decreases the pro social behaviours like helping. These effects are due to the interactive nature of video games. These games reward violent behaviour. In the game the child is in control of this behaviour and repeats it. The active participation, repetition and reward are effective tools in learning a behaviour. Although many studies have shown that violent video games may promote aggressive behaviour it is not consistent. Please watch Negative effects of violent video gamesNegative effects of violent video games

Children who play video games excessively become anti-social and socially isolated. Children spend less time: playing outdoors talking with friends doing their homework.

Some video games teach kids wrong values. Violent behaviour, aggression and vengeance are rewarded in games. Negotiating and other non violent solutions are not options when playing. When playing video games children may pick up bad language.

The multiplayer online role playing games are highly addictive. This is because they run continuously on real time. They have social and competitive aspects making it hard for the player to leave the game. These games are endless and rely on goals and achievements through character advancements. Why Video Games are addictive An article on the harmful effects of video games for addicts

According to a study published by Public Health England a link has been found between playing video games for more than 4 hours a day with symptoms of anxiety and depression. These symptoms included: a lack of pleasure lack of interest in activities difficulties in concentration low energy levels low self esteem and self worth suicidal ideas.

As much as video games can have negative effects, there are many helpful benefits to them as well. Pain Management Coordination and spatial recognition Pro - social behaviour Education and learning Exercise

Video games can be used to distract young children or adults when they need to experience painful medical procedures. Soldier uses video games to forget the pain

Games such as Tetris can improve spatial awareness. This is because children are required to place objects within the screen. Spatial cognition abilities are required to mentally arrange and rotate objects in three dimensions. Spatial skills are also developed from violent shooter video games.

There is some evidence that video games that involve pro- social helping behaviours lead to an increase in those behaviours in the short and long term. When children play games that reward effective cooperation, support, and helping behaviours then there is an opportunity that they acquire these pro- social skills. Two recent studies have also shown that playing a violent video game cooperatively, compared with competitively, increases subsequent prosocial, cooperative behaviour outside of the game context.

Video games can be a useful teaching tool. Video games are engaging and encourages children to persevere when learning a new skill. Video games have been used to teach algebra, biology, photography and computer programming. Video games have also been used to teach specific skills using simulators. Video Games and learning

The introduction of the Wii has brought about a number of video games that promotes physical activity. Games such as the Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Wii Play and Just Dance.

There are always two sides to an argument. From the above research it can be noted that playing video games can have both a negative and positive social and psychological influence.