| Technology has a way of taking the existing | | | | by connecting with friends they know or making |
| modern culture and making it more sophisticated | | | | new ones on-line. Gaming forums, blogs, websites, |
| and alluring to the masses. It is hence not | | | | writing reviews on games are becoming a popular |
| surprising to see a new culture being formed | | | | fad among teens. Both, teaching and learning can |
| today. The two gigantic communication | | | | be fun by drawing from this new culture. |
| technologies of the 20th century, namely the | | | | Is there a flip side to this? Does it contribute to |
| computer and television, were merged to give us | | | | anti-social behavior? There are critics who state |
| a technology that is forming a parallel culture. This | | | | that gaming culture leads to violence amongst |
| phenomenon is called 'the gaming culture' and the | | | | teen and makes them a recluse. But, the popular |
| youth of today swear by it. | | | | games like Madden NFL or The Sims contain no |
| Entertainment for the youth is increasingly | | | | violence. Definitely, there are games which have |
| becoming hi-tech, and gaming is taking it to a | | | | violence or use of strong language. And it might |
| whole new level. The gaming culture comprises of | | | | lead the teens to behave aggressively during the |
| games played on personal computers, or on | | | | tenure of the game but that doesn't mean it will |
| gaming consoles like the Xbox, PlayStation or Wii, | | | | transform into aggression. The game played, has |
| on the cell phones or on hand held gaming devices | | | | to be age- appropriate and there has to be some |
| like the PSP or the Nintendo DS. | | | | kind of monitoring. But to be realistic, can you |
| This platform is a true representation of the term | | | | stop one from playing soccer or football because |
| 'Global Village' as it is open to all, and barriers like | | | | it will lead to aggression. Teens cannot be raised in |
| age, gender or race doesn't come into play here. | | | | a vacuum, they have to be exposed to these |
| The youth are collaborating and interacting with | | | | situation so that they pick up on one important |
| others like never before. The notion that kids play | | | | trait, self-control. Teens are future adults in |
| games in seclusion, in a dark room or the | | | | training. We need to equip them with the right |
| basement is baseless, as the games they play | | | | tools to cope with the challenges that life will |
| revolve around racing, puzzles and sports. Often | | | | throw at them. |
| these games are played in groups, which requires | | | | Playing games in an interesting aspect in a teens |
| information sharing and encourages peer based | | | | life, it ups the fun and excitement quotient. But all |
| learning. This automatically builds traits like team | | | | things in moderation is the key to a healthy |
| work and goal orientation which will help them in | | | | lifestyle. The gaming culture is a part of the whole. |
| the real world. | | | | As long as it stays that way, the critics can give |
| Educators can use this platform as a great | | | | it a rest! |
| teaching tool as teens are communicating better, | | | | |