Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Do We Need Age Restrictions For Computer Games?

By Jewel Chesson


Many parents are confronted with children who want to play computer games that are age restricted and deemed inappropriate for certain age groups. The nagging and "But I played it at Mark's house" pleading can wear a parent down very quickly.

Age restrictions on computer games work much the same as the restrictions on movies. Age restrictions are based on the content of the computer game, so don't keep thinking that all games are harmless. Today's games are extremely life-like, and it is the level of nudity, violence and sexual content that leads to an age restriction. In particular, the gratuitous violence in many games is a cause for concern, as it is on television and in movies.

Some computer games can lead to nightmares and paranoia, especially in young children who are unable to differentiate between the game and reality. Another danger is that many children believe that what they can do on a computer, they can do in real life. This is alarming, as they won't know what to expect aside from what they see on the computer.

Computer games can also influence kids to be violent. They might think that doing some things in a computer game is harmless, when in real life, it could injure or even kill others. In computer games, you just shoot as many guys as you can, without thinking about what they are going through. The line between good and bad is drawn by the game, with no input from the player in terms of choices.

Of course another issue is the amount of time children spend playing computer games. You've probably heard that it improves kids' reaction time, mouse handling skills, and the like. But computer games do nothing for a child's imagination, creative thinking, practicality, and health. While educational games do have their place, too much time in front of a computer is not a good idea.

Some people might not be all for age restrictions, but they are made for the good of kids. As parents, you know that your kids differ from each other, so you are the best judge of their capabilities, and you should follow age restrictions when you can.




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