Video Games the Downfall of the Youth.

I have been playing video games ever since I can remember. Space Invaders and Prince of Persia on my dads ancient PCs, to MSG4 on my PS3. I must admit that gaming does take up alot of my time, but I see it as a passion. Being 21 I can say that gaming has not ruined my life. I am not obese, anti-social or delinquent. What worries me though is the growing number of youth that are or are becoming that way.

I recently went to a friends house and his little brother and friends sat playing games for hours and never once joined me or my friends to play football or even eat properly. I am sure this is not a single case and though I am sure video games are not the sole blame, Do you think that Video Games can be detrimental to a persons growing up?

I know video games can be detrimental to to someone growing up. Just small issues like eyesight problems and not eating (I've got problems with both of those). But video games aren't going to turn you into a Nazi or anything.

Yeah, I'm worried too. Video games in and of themselves aren't dangerous to kids, but without proper parental control they can be extremely harmful.

No, If you believe this you need mental evaluation.

When I started playing video games, the games were simple compared to what they are now.  I remember my first game being Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo.  Video games haven't ruined my life, but I will admit they have wasted thousands of hours of it.

Video games being detrimental to a persons growing up, we'll have to see with this new generation of gamers.  Things are different, video games are more violent, and it's easier to get sucked into a video game now, then it was back then.

Anything can determine this. Videogames, TV, Movies, Music, and even the environment around them can determine how they are going to live when they grow up

nope i dont think so, i play alot but i know my limits.
also i think that depends the person that plays the games too.

"I know video games can be detrimental to to someone growing up. Just small issues like eyesight problems and not eating (I've got problems with both of those).."

"Yeah, I'm worried too. Video games in and of themselves aren't dangerous to kids, but without proper parental control they can be extremely harmful.
"

no, kids still play ball... at least where I live, they still go to movies and everything they used to do... videogaming is just a new addition, besides when you think about it... would you rather play ball for hours in the hot sun, or stay in doors and play if your friends and have just as much as fun.

I'm in the same boat as the tc, I've grown up playing video games and can honestly say that they have been a positive effect not a detriment.
You have to also consider that if someone literally spends all their time in front of the TV instead of varying their activities a bit, they may turn out slightly different than the norm.

Studies on the effects of video games are near impossible to justify though, there are way too many variables to consider, each of which will be different for each person.

Nice to see people are ready to have a real debate on GB. :)

Personally I am not that sporty, but then I have never been. I go out a lot though, games is something you do when you are bored.

People who grow obsessed over video games until the point of it being seriously damaging to there health probably already have some issues.
Since gaming is a form of escapism they probably have either a very boring life or a very sad life that they feel they have to escape to.

But thats only in extreme cases I believe, long gaming binges arent going to do too much damage as long as they arent too often or too intense.
You should escape to games because you can, not because you must.

Parents should make sure there children are prepared to play responsibly as much as they should prepare them to drink and have sex responsibly.
I dunno, thats just my thoughts

maybe, who knows. all i know is video games didnt ruin me, i was a mess before i started playing video games.

games are no different to any other form of media or entertainment when people become addicted. for example someone who watches movies 10 hours a day or surfs porn 10 hours a day or anime. Those thing would have the same general effect on someone when there obsessed like unhealthy eating, limited movement or fresh air etc.

I blame the parents.  They should take responsibility over their child and regulate how much they play video games.  I'm 15 and my parents still tell me to stop gaming, so that I can do something else.  With them doing that it helps me focus on other things like football, my education, etc.

I've been playing Violent games for a long time and I haven't gone out on murderous rampages killing people neither has 99.99% of the people who play games but people are quick enough to blame games when they find out that the latest Mass murderer had played GTA

"games are no different to any other form of media or entertainment when people become addicted. for example someone who watches movies 10 hours a day or surfs porn 10 hours a day or anime. Those thing would have the same general effect on someone when there obsessed like unhealthy eating, limited movement or fresh air etc.
"

I think that the point is being missed, Im not stating anything firstly all I am saying it that is the next generation going to suffer due to gaming become so popular and accessible. You have to remember that it has only been 5-10 years since online gaming has grown to the strengths it has.  I for one can say that my university work has suffered as a result of gaming. What worries me is that will the be a growing amount on children that will abuse gaming and never reach their true potential, whether it be a form of distraction, entertainment or both.

People have brough up that gaming is an escapism, are to many children now growing up it a dream world.

It's also the parents fault for not making the kid active and preparing the kid healthy food. That's just my take on that.

You could say I was like that a month ago. It started to ruin my life that I started to fall behind and fail a couple courses. Now its stuck in my head that this is my future, i'm talking about, its some serious shit, that alone scared me enough to just turn this all around. Fear. Fear them kids! And you'll see results D:

I think it's wise to not ignore the potential detrimental effects of video games. I mean, people saying that killers were made to do it by playing video games are obviously idiots, but they're also not 100% harmless. There's a middle ground, and it's worthy of study. But obesity etc aren't new problems, and video games are certainly not solely to blame. To call them dangerous or the downfall of anything is, in my mind, grossly overstating the danger. But like I said, it's worthy of study.

I hate that nonsence

"I think it's wise to not ignore the potential detrimental effects of video games. I mean, people saying that killers were made to do it by playing video games are obviously idiots, but they're also not 100% harmless. There's a middle ground, and it's worthy of study. But obesity etc aren't new problems, and video games are certainly not solely to blame. To call them dangerous or the downfall of anything is, in my mind, grossly overstating the danger. But like I said, it's worthy of study.
"

I think it's up to them if they want to play video games all day.

I have been playing violent games all my life and I turned out just fine.

If i wasnt playing violent video games i would be out at night clubs or a concert right now. If u think Gaming is problem then ur terribly wrong.

every  generation has thought that some thing is going to detrimental the kids future rock tv gaming etc. but every generation has trun out ok

*Moves to General Discussion Forum*

"When I started playing video games, the games were simple compared to what they are now.  I remember my first game being Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo.  Video games haven't ruined my life, but I will admit they have wasted thousands of hours of it.

"