VIDEO Gaming has become a new addiction and is now fairly common across individuals and communities. Games are now designed to attract users and keep them hooked to it. This has resulted in unusual and unhealthy addictive gaming habits in people especially the young. The danger is more alarming as games, if not monitored, can be played by youngsters from any group. This can include underage children for whom these games may not even be suitable as far as content goes.
Gaming addiction severely impacts life style of children and adults and has various psychological and sociological implications. Addicted children and adults consider it an opportunity to live a better life and thus to isolate themselves. Video Games are an easy and quick escape from reality and encourage detachment and escapism. These games pervert our relationships in the world – close or otherwise.
In addition to addiction, gaming poses other risks as well. The content of games now is suited to fit what sells. This means that it appeals to what the demand asks for, irrespective of weighing in the ethicality of content. Games now rely on tantalising trends which promote consumerism, sexualisation of women and even violence.
Games with violence as the underlying motivation are often a hit among people. This content makes consumers passive and even okay with violence. It is more detrimental participating virtually in violence than watching it as passive viewers on TV.
Excessive indulgence in games leads to disobedience and indiscipline. Even as the reasos might be psychological, video games give people an opportunity to withdrawing themselves from the real world and to play a fantasy one. This may even lead to one ignoring underlying mental health issues which may aggravate this kind of escapism.
Children and teens that play excessively may develop social problems and find it difficult to communicate with their peers. The impact on adults is also serious as it affects their participation in family life and may even make some overlook their roles in the family structure as fathers, mothers and caretakers.
Scientists have collected and summarized studies looking at how video games can shape our brain and behaviour. Research to date suggests that playing video games can change the brain regions and make them efficient. However, they also raise an alarm at how the associated reward system in games can lead to addiction.
Therefore, it is important for us to moderate the use of games. We must monitor the content we consume and exercise restraint in how much we indulge in this merriment.
Suhaib Reyaz
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
