Video Games Hinder Studies

For many years people have debated on whether or not children should play video games. Many parents have mixed feelings on whether or not their children should play them. There have been various forms of studies that have conducted to see if there are any links between children playing video games to their academic achievements. There is not only a link between video games to a childs' academic success, but the students who play video games sometimes tend to lack social skills. The results of these various studies can help to sway parents in the appropriate direction for their children.

A study has recently been conducted that implies that children who play video games may be lacking in school advancements. “The average reading and writing scores of the young gamers don’t go down, but they don’t improve either, said Robert Weis of Dension University in Ohio, co-author of the study” ("Study: Video Games," 1). The study also found gains in the reading and writing scores of children who did not play video games. The study also found that kids were averaging about 40 minutes per day playing the Play Station. This chunk of time is more than likely interfering with study time as well as the time for social activities. The study concluded with a statement about kids becoming less interested and wearing tired of playing with the video games, however no so much for boys.

Social development is key in the development of a child. Socialization means that the child has the ability to communicate and understand language in various forms. A child that is constantly playing video games is focusing on the task at hand, and not on social interaction with others. Children who play video games lack social skills, which in can hinder them later in life.

Needless to say, playing video games has an effect on a childs' education and social development. Children are spending more time playing video games which more than likely implies that they are spending less time doing homework, studying, or interacting with people around them. Test scores may not decrease significantly, however there is little to none improvement on them. Parents are becoming hesitant when it involves buying video games. The more knowledge parents know about video games can help them to take action in not purchasing video games, or in limiting the time their kids play on them. Actions need to be made so that children's test and reading scores as well as their social skills do not decrease.

“Study: Video Games Can Hurt Schoolwork.” MSNBC. 5 Mar. 2010 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35897874