Gaming is the general term used to describe a number of personal computers (PCs) and gaming consoles such as Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, Xbox, etc. A computer game or video game is simply an interactive computer program that involves interaction with a user external to the system or by means of an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or infrared motion detection device, to produce visually satisfying visual output. The term “video” is commonly used to refer to computer games while “game” is commonly used to refer to any computer program. Games are very popular worldwide and are played by millions of people from all walks of life.
If a person playing games develops an addiction, it is called a video game disorder. If the player develops an addiction to a specific type of game, it is called a video game addict disorder. Video game addiction is also known as technological dependency; this is because it becomes difficult for the addicted gamer to stop playing video games since the addiction requires a great deal of skills. This means that the addict must use time management skills, which are necessary in all types of relationships. If left untreated, video game addiction may lead to depression and anxiety, as well as criminal behavior.
Like other addiction, gaming may develop in various ways. For instance, if a teenage boy plays a lot of online games and loses his connection to reality, he may suffer from an online personality disorder. In this case, the person may engage in a very dangerous behavior, such as participating in online sex crimes or violence. Another possible development is if a child stays after school or during breaks to play electronic games instead of getting their homework done.
Many parents believe that too much screen time or frequent interaction with electronic games can lead to a decrease in reading, in addition to reduced IQ scores. Many researchers agree that there is a direct relationship between video games and violence, though there is no hard data. One study, however, found that children who had played video games for over an hour a day were more impatient than children who did not play video games. The results of this study showed that a change in the amount of interaction lead to a change in academic performance.
Parents should monitor their children’s internet usage, especially when they are under the age recommended to be using them. When in a public location such as the home, parents should monitor the activity of their children by checking their IP addresses or websites to see what they are doing at any time. In fact, an IP log may help reveal the identity of an individual who has been engaging in online gaming and may lead to prosecution. It is also recommended to always monitor your children’s activity while they are playing online games, even if they are under the age recommended to be playing them.
There are also some precautions parents can take to protect their children from harm when playing online. When allowing them to play a computer game, you should monitor their activity by setting up a time limit and requiring them to disconnect from the computer before it is too late. You should also monitor the chat rooms that they use to communicate with other players in the game. Many games have safety settings available so that children can protect themselves from unwanted harm. These safety settings allow a player to block specific words and phrases, for instance, they can block out the term “murder.” When your child is able to block out certain words, they will be less likely to say or write something that could cause harm to themselves or others.