Home video gaming systems have changed quite a bit in the last 30, almost 40, years. Changes are apparent when comparing the first gaming system, the Magnavox Odyssey released in 1972, to the latest gaming systems, the Wii released in April 2006, and the Playstation 3 released in November 2006. The Magnavox Odyssey was an easy system to use dealing only with simple geometrical shapes. As the years have passed the systems have evolved into what we see today. Video games are now a multi-billion dollar industry. The gaming systems have become so elaborate that not only can you play games on them but you can download movies and television series straight to your video gaming console. www.netflix.com There is even the ability to talk to the other player's on one's team with the use of a headset.
Many skills can be learned by playing video games. Skills including multi-tasking, resource management, reasoning skills, memory, etc. Video games can also help children who don't do well in certain social situations. If a child is a good "gamer", he may gain social standing.
I believe video gaming systems have had a negative impact on our society. Adults as well as children are spending entirely too much time playing video games. I believe video games play a role in the increasing number of obese people in America as well as the increasing number of children with juvenile diabetes. Some of the people playing these games are just not getting enough exercise. I also believe that video games are contributing to aggressive and anti-social behavior in today's youth. It's hard to meet new people and make friends if you spend hours and hours playing video games. Video games are creating desensitization to violence. Studies show that games that continually show violent acts increase the level of aggressive thoughts and behavior in the player. http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html Parents need to take to time and be aware of the types of games their kids are playing and how many hours they spend playing them.
