Studies have shown an increasing trend of youth inclined towards addicting games, which is accompanied by certain adverse impacts on their mental and physical frames. While the efficacious technological advancements have provided an easy access of online connectivity creating this world a global village it has also opened the doors for our youth to enter a new world of online games; a virtual world with real experience.
These games allow its players to develop a ‘virtual alter ego’ (another side of self) also named ‘Avatars’ and they connect people to play with each other anytime and anywhere all over the world. Therefore, it will not be wrong to conclude that these online games are something more than just a few images on the screen. The way these virtual images submerge the player into it, it creates an experience that is physically experienced which can psychologically confuse young players about their reality and fantasy.
In addition, these games have been playing a role in introducing wrong values into the innocent and naive minds of young players. Research has shown that children who spend more time playing online games are more likely to show violent behavior in their social interactions. These games are designed to provoke a thrilling experience for the player and they are more likely to be focused on the fun, which does not teach them the real life consequences of it.
Apart from the mental and psychological impacts increasing physical health issues have been observed in the youth, the most common being ‘Obesity’. According to a survey conducted by a US based organization, about 40% children between 5 – 8 years are considered to be over weight medically. In addition, over 20% of Primary and Secondary students of Asia are suffering obesity according to a study conducted in Beijing, China.
Obesity is not a direct effect of these video games but it has created a scenario where children are preferring virtual games rather than participating in any physical sport. This lack of exercise is leading to children becoming fatter and fatter at a very young age. Obesity itself increases the risks of fatal diseases such as Diabetes, Osteoporosis, and Heart diseases etc.
In some cases young players have shown symptoms of depression and anxiety in them as these captivating games involve their players to such an extent where all these emotional thrills and ups and downs leads to negative hormonal changes in the body which in turn result in other cardiac problems and high blood pressure issues.
In extreme cases, these games have pulled children into the quicksand of addiction; which has not only wasted a lot of their time but also has affected their academic productivity and results. In some dedicated young player disorders like insomnia has been observed, where they spend sleepless nights playing games.
I would sum up my stance using an example; if we dig earth, on one hand where we are taking out a lump leaving a depression on earth we are creating a mount from the same lump we have taken out. This shows how duality exists in everything and one thing cannot exist without another. In simple words, the disadvantages of these games are not without its benefits, which can be achieved by not exceeding our limits.
