| Are video games good news or bad news? And | | | | up on their own, to the ultimate detriment of their |
| is it really as simple as all that? Over the years | | | | communication skills and social skills. However, with |
| there has been a tremendous amount of | | | | the development of internet communications and |
| discussion, or perhaps argument, between those | | | | broadband in particular, many games have now |
| who feel that computer games and video games | | | | become multiplayer, providing ways to chat and |
| are harming children's health, their imagination and | | | | communicate with friends and other players from |
| potential, and those who feel that they have no | | | | all around the world. |
| more effect than the many other calls on | | | | This has often resulted in groups of people |
| children's time, and may even in some cases have | | | | working together who may otherwise have never |
| some positive impact. | | | | even met. As far as developing strategic thinking |
| Certainly today there is a growing range of | | | | and teamwork skills, including communication, |
| computer games and video games, and whilst | | | | organisation and compromise, these video games |
| many are still firmly rooted in the classic shoot | | | | have been shown to have a very positive impact |
| 'em up model, there are many new games which | | | | on children in terms of those skills which are of |
| are challenging some of the stereotypes to which | | | | particular benefit in the workplace of the twenty |
| people have become accustomed to seeing on | | | | first century. |
| the shelves. | | | | But let's not become too sentimental about video |
| Games that include ways to challenge your | | | | games and computer games adding to our |
| intelligence, video games designed to exercise | | | | children's education and life skills experience. Many |
| your mind and increase your IQ, games that | | | | computer games and video games are exactly |
| focus on problem solving and linguistic skills are all | | | | that - games. We all need to unwind at the end |
| there, and proving to be every bit as popular as | | | | of the day, and there is nothing wrong with |
| games designed purely to entertain, without any | | | | spending a little time playing games. Some people |
| attempt to pretend to be educational. | | | | choose to read a book, others to watch television |
| There are even games today promoting physical | | | | or hang out with friends at the local park. |
| fitness, diet and nutrition, and with the Wii in | | | | But who's to say that playing a computer game |
| particular, children and young people can be seen | | | | which is challenging reaction, strategy, logical |
| playing video games and computer games at the | | | | thinking skills and team work is of less value that |
| same time as running, jumping, dancing and | | | | sitting slumped on the settee watching the |
| gyrating in ways which can only have a positive | | | | television. The truth is, more snacks and sugary |
| impact on their health. | | | | drinks are consumed by young people whilst |
| Another criticism launched at the publishers and | | | | watching television than whilst playing video |
| retailers of video games and computer games is | | | | games. Like anything, they have an excellent role |
| that they encourage children to seek their own | | | | to play if treated with respect and used in |
| company, spending more and more hours cooped | | | | moderation. |