I wasn't 100% surprised when I read that there was a correlation between playing video games and children obesity. But which one is the cause and which is the effect? I thought it was interesting in the conclusion of the obesity study that the researchers played devils advocate on their own work. They questioned if the direct correlation to girls playing video games and obesity was because the girls were already overweight and therefore casted out by peers, or if weight was a direct cause from playing too many games.
I'm definitely guilty of sometimes choosing to play Fitness Dash than go to the actual gym. But in my case, I am an adult, I make my own decisions, and I am aware of the consequences of my actions. However, some children are not aware of the consequences. They choose to do what is fun at the moment and they sometimes don't know when enough is enough. Some kids can get caught up in playing hours upon hours of video games each week. Think about all of the other activities they are missing out on. This is how video games get bad reputations. I think the parents need to step in and limit playing time and when playing can occur. After sports, after homework is done, after "family time" is when video games should be played, and for a limited time. I think parents need to step in and know their role in their child's development.
That's a really interesting point that maybe the children were already obese and chose to play the video game because they didn't like exercise, rather than the other way around. I had not thought of it that way, and yet it make sense. And I can certainly understand budgeting in time for a video game to be played, after other things are done. On the other hand, however, to get really good at most games takes a lot of immersive time developing expertise, a kind of deep learning that may or may not occur in half-hour intervals every so often. So therefore maybe the time is less the factor to look at than the type of game or the type of learning -- depending on what you as the player (or you as the parent of the player) want to get out of it)?
ReplyDeleteYou made an interesting point about children not knowing or understanding the consequences of their actions. Most children do not think about the negative effects that may be related to their video game play, but their parents should. I absolutely agree that parents need to be completely involved in their children's lives. It is necessary for parents to make decisions for their children, including limiting the amount of time they spend playing video games.
ReplyDeleteHi, I can't reach you by email. My email is tiffanyandsimon@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is Tiffany from MEDI 506. I am in your material group. I might have missed our SL meeting. If so, I am sorry. Here is my material list for our material group.
List of Materials for Middle School Library
Online Catalog
Wall Maps: World Map and United States Map
Globe
Reference Materials
General Reference Materials
Ready Reference Materials (Dictionaries and Encyclopias)
Electronic Reference Sources
Nonfiction Books
Fiction Books
Newspapers
Magazines
Microfiches and Microfilms
AV Collection (DVDs, VHS, CD, Cassette, CD-ROM)
Foreign Language Collection
Program schedule, book review flyers
We may make the wall maps link to a map website. My dictionary will link to onelook.com, my encyclopedia will link to wikipedia, and so do others. Maybe a link to other public library catalogs.
Let me know your idea. Thanks.
Tiffany