In recent years, technology has introduced many forms of entertainment, the most popular being video games. Since their introduction in the 1970’s, parents have been concerned with the addictive power that games can have on children. The concern has shifted from the addiction to the possible effects that the violence in the games have on the behavior, personality and health of the children.
Games have radically changed over time. The information obtained in today’s video games may incorporate an aggressive behavior in interactions with adults and other children. This is due to the violence acts portrayed in the games. Some of the negative effects may be increased fear of being victimized by violence, self-protective behaviors and mistrust of others, and emotional desensitization toward real world violence. There were some games that were for pure entertainment and enjoymen
In conclusion, the confusion of reality and fantasy is a major issue for these children. The violence portrayed effects the violent behavior the will develop over time. Video games can show aggression and violence in them and the child will most likely imitate it. The aggressiveness, and foul behavior seeps out of the children in situations that may arise in their everyday lives. Limiting playing time and monitoring game selection according to development level and content may be as important as similar parental management of television and internet usage. The regulation of the types of games bought and played, would greatly decrease the introduction of violent concepts to children.
For years violence has always been present in video games in some aspects. Presently, the improvements made on game systems give children a vivid picture of violent acts. This could indicate that seeing the violence on the screen-not necessarily control