In recent decades we have witnessed the incredible avalanche of changes in relation to technology. Besides, More and more teenagers or children are asking for a new Smartphone or the latest game console as a gift From the market.
We are immersed in the technological era and, therefore, it is important to know all the information necessary to manage the difficulties that may arise due to this fact, as well as the concerns that arise from the role of fathers and mothers.
Therefore, given the voices of alarm that are raised from time to time when stating that video games encourage violent behavior in children, it is worth asking… Do video games have a harmful influence on children?
Definitely, One of the most widespread phenomena in recent years in the world of children’s and youth entertainment has been FORTNITE For those of you who are here and haven’t heard of it (and there are probably few of you), it is a video game in which the player controls the survivors of a world full of zombies. Users must cooperate with other humans to protect their fortresses from the undead who are trying to take over the land. In some versions of the game players can compete against each other and take down other humans.
Its main success lies in the simplicity of the game, how dynamic it is and the intensity with which it is played. In addition, being able to play online with other players adds an extra factor and that is that children and teenagers can not only have fun playing but they can also play from home with their friends without them needing to be there.
Video games can provide many positive aspects, such as training, retention of certain knowledge and development of motor skills ; Although it is true that the type of game influences the positive things it can contribute.
There are numerous games on the market that enhance the development of higher cognitive skills , such as: Tetris, Big Brain Academy, World of goo and The Witness. Some games also require strategies and develop reflexes. Now, not only the type of content that is viewed is important, but also the hours dedicated to this type of leisure, since those hours invested are displacing hours that could be dedicated to other healthier or more productive activities (schoolwork , reading, sports, etc.).
The habituation to violence
It is important that we are aware that even in some types of violent video games something positive can be extracted, such as strategy skills and learning a new language (when the language of the game is other than the native one), although continued viewing violent content is related to greater habituation to violence. That is, people who are used to seeing this type of content end up getting used to it until in the end they normalize it more than usual.
Does this mean that if my son or daughter plays violent video games, he or she will end up engaging in violent behavior? Not necessarily. Although it is true that repeatedly visualizing violence accustoms us to not having so much rejection towards it, It does not mean that by playing this type of video game the person will suddenly develop psychopathological and violent behavior For this to happen, more factors must be taken into account, both biological and environmental.
Now, there is a greater risk of “accepting” this type of behavior as “acceptable.” We could say, therefore, that it represents a risk factor, but it is not sufficient by itself.
Conclusion
There is still a lot of controversy regarding whether viewing violent content in video games is related to the subsequent development of aggressive behaviors, although what seems clear is that the content to which we are exposed affects our perceptions to a greater or lesser extent. , thoughts, opinions and attitudes.
It therefore seems clear that, although there is no clear or causal relationship, the content of video games has an influence on the users who consume it. This does not mean that it constitutes the cause of the subsequent development of violent behavior but to do so, numerous factors would have to be taken into account, both biological, social and family.
The most important thing is that we control the hours that children and adolescents dedicate to these types of games ensuring that it becomes an “extra” after having completed tasks or other mandatory activities and not neglecting other types of leisure that do not include sedentary lifestyle and social isolation, as well as to avoid addiction to video games.
The use of video game consoles or electronic devices can be positive, as long as we also control their content or are aware of whether there are changes in our children’s behavior that can give us “a warning” that something is not right. ; In that case, the ideal thing is to contact a psychologist. At Mariva Psychologists we will be happy to evaluate the situation and, if necessary, intervene to improve and solve it.
