Effects of Computer Games
June 9, 2012 | IT
About fifty years ago when TV became a common household item there was much public concern expressed as to the effect it would have on the learning capacity, and disciplines of children and the youth of the day.
Today when personal computers are part of the furniture in most homes the same concerns are being expressed, especially worries about the effects of computer games on children. Concerns have been voiced about risks associated with health and decreased academic achievement at school or college.
Certainly some computer games have a violent content which may encourage aggressive behavior and falsely teach the child that violence is a norm of life. But many computer games are turning out to be natural teachers. They motivate the child to repeatedly interact with the material being displayed, they are a source of lesson practice, and furthermore can provide rewards for learning/playing well.
Provided that the correct material is provided in the computer games by the programmers, then much learning can be obtained by child users on almost a limitless range of subjects. Although parents should limit the amount of time the child spends on the keyboard each day to avoid risks to health and eyesight, and to monitor which kind of games are being played.
It is recommended that no more than 13 hours each week should be dedicated to this kind of learning, especially for children at elementary or early high school. Considering the size of the computer games market, it is now reported that computer programmers are producing games aimed at the pre- school age group with an average ‘playing’ time of 30 minutes every day being recommended.
Like TV, computers and computer games are part of our lives, and if the correct information is programmed into the games then many young children can gain the benefit of computer learning from many of such games.