Amy, I disagree with the statement James Gee made that compares video games to a book. Sure books do not progress vocabularies and move on to more complex words or writings, but it increases the persons imagination, also vocabularies can increase, walk into a Barnes and Noble. You can get anywhere from Hop on Pop to Chronicles of Narnia, to Harry Potter, War & Peace, Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice, and so many other books. I would much rather read a book than play a video game. Did you know a child watches 28 hours of television (video games included) a week and by the age of 18 will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 20,000 acts of violence? (Video Games: Cons and Pros: An Interview with Richard Gallager PhD, 2006-2009) You wouldn't get that with a book! Sure there are games that are clearly not intended for kids, but I know as well as you that if a kid wants something bad enough they will find any means necessary to get it. Heck, some clerks don't even check ids. "A large number of kids are playing increasingly violent games; most youth are able to recognize the difference between reality and fantasy, so they see the games as pointless entertainment. But, some kids get immersed in the violence which may contribute to a cold-hearted view of other people; it may make them prone to aggressive thoughts, attitudes, and actions. ‘First Person' shooters where the player sees the actions as if he or she was the shooter can desensitize the player to violence. These games are actually used in military training to help soldiers become used to the process of harming others." (Gallager) So am I disagreeing that video games like Wii Sports or Mario Kart exist? No, but why would a kid want to play sports or a innocent game like that when they can shoot cops, hooker, businessmen, and the rest of society down?


Works Cited:
Video Games: Cons and Pros An Interview With Richard Gallagher, Ph.D, Education.com 2006-2009.Web.13 Sep.2009
http://www.education.com/print/ref_video_games_cons/

Amy- The point was is this: The argument that video games use more parts of the brain is false. A simple math test shows to prove that. The math test requires "less" brain activity, but uses more vital parts of the brain than would the video games. Video games only use parts of the brain associated with eye coordination and movement. While the Kraeplin Test uses both hemisphere's of the frontal lobe which is where learning, emotion and control behavior come into play. I am sure that there "some" video games like the Nintendo DS Sudoku and other memory building video games that most adults use. However most children and teens do not play those games. I do agree with you, as I have said in previous posts, that parental role is a huge player is very important. If you have further questions please read the article that I have attached to the post that I used to get the information.

The Beatles Rock Band Trailer 3 VIDEO PROVIDED TO US COURTESY MTV GAMES/HARMONIX/APPLE CORPS.




Jared, good job on the thorough research on the W.o.W., finding what is basically an A.A. site for those who are addicted to it, I would never have thought of it. It really does show that video games really can take over people’s lives just like any addiction can such as drugs and gambling. Those statistics of how many people are or could be addicted to online gaming is incredible! I had seen a television show about a family man who was addicted to watching adult films. It literally took over his life in a similar way as the example you used about the guy and his fiancé. This man wasn’t even living at home anymore with his wife and children because his wife wouldn’t put up with it anymore and forced him to essentially go away for recovery. I do have to say however, on the comment you made about him talking with girls on the online game about how he would leave is girlfriend for them just shows what type of guy he is. He may have been willing to leave his girlfriend or cheat on her in many different circumstances; it just may be his character to not be faithful. But the fact that he would rather spend time on the game rather than with her does show how much more he cares about the game world than his real world.

In reply to your first post on September 5th, I was ecstatic to hear that they were coming out with the Beatles game as well, what a great idea! Who doesn’t love the Beatles, and it’s appropriate for all ages. Children will love it because; well because it’s Rock Band, and adults will love it for the music they’ve always known. As far as what you say about video games being mostly violent and unhealthy both socially and mentally, I have to disagree. I have already posted several facts about how video games help with brain activity and how children interact socially with others but I have this to add: Professor of learning sciences at the University of Wisconsin James Gee believes video games are themselves a learning experience. Video games are unique from all popular media because they rely on what he calls “the regime of competence principle.” Video games are the only media that start simple, such as simple dialogue or simple tasks, and increasingly become more difficult and complex depending on the aptitude of whoever is playing. You have to learn to get further in the game. He compares it to reading a book. Books do not progress their vocabularies and move onto more complex words or writing. (Your Brain on Video Games, Discover Magazine Online, 2005). I also feel that while your statistic about what percent of video games are violent may be accurate, however they may not be relevant. Quoted from Dr. Cheryl K. Olson, co-director of the Center for Mental Health and the Media at Massachusetts General Hospital, “It’s not the violence per se that’s the problem, it’s the context and goals of the violence.” She also says that there are absolutely games that are not appropriate for children such as those with the practice of hunting down and killing people. She argues that the use of the term “violent video games” is too vague. There should be a better process for defining what is considered violent versus aggressive and so forth. (Study Examines Video Game Play Among Adolescents, Science Daily, 2007). While the percent of how many video games are violent, with whatever definition of violence was used in the research you found, is high, the results of the best selling games of all time may make this statistic irrelevant. According to Infoplease, and many other sources, the 10 games that have sold the most copies, and are therefore consider the most popular, are ones most would consider to be non-violent. At the top of the list, Wii Sports, however this particular game may have had an advantage as it comes with every Wii console. Others on the list are Super Mario Bros., Pokemon, Tetris and Nintendogs (Best-Selling Video Games of All Time, Infoplease, 2009). Even though there are an unmatchable number of games deemed to be “violent”, they are not the only games being played, and not one of them are singly an all time best-seller. So yes, violent video games are bad for children and some adults because playing them causes higher than normal aggressive behavior and desensitizing of youth, but when I talk about allowing anyone to play video games, I always agree that it should be appropriate and in moderation.

Works Cited

Your Brain on Drugs, Discover Magazine Online, 2005. Web. 7 Sep. 2009

Study Examines Video Game Play Among Adolescents, Science Daily 2007. Web. 8 Sep. 2009

Best-Selling Video Games of All Time, Infoplease, 2009. Web. 11 Sep. 2009

Check this video clip out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzoLIxuRlo0
So this is safe for kids? Honestly?

Amber, I understand your concerns about violent video games leading to violent behavior. There have been many studies that show a direct, or at least very close, relation between children who play violent video games and their aggression in real life. This is where parental supervision and control come in to play. Dr. Cheryl Olson, co-director of the Center for Mental Health and the Media at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has this advice for parents: take the computer and gaming consoles out of the bedrooms and into family space in the home so they can keep an eye on what the kids are doing (Violent Video Games Linked to Child Aggression. CNNhealth, 2008). I strongly agree with this advice. Don’t blame the video games. The creators don’t care what affect it is going to have on children, obviously, so it is completely the responsibility of the family. When parents are more involved, the more influence they have on how their child grows up and will have a chance at having a better relationship with them as well. Hope M. Cummings, M.A., of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Elizabeth A. Vandewater, Ph.D., of the University of Texas at Austin performed a study during the 2002-2003 school year involving 1,491 10-19 year old boys and girls. The study compiled data on how much time the students spent studying, reading leisurely, spending time with friends and family, playing sports, and playing video games, both with and without other people such as parents and friends. Their study concluded that when boys and girls spent more time playing video games with their parents or friends, it correlated with them spending more time with them doing other activities. When the children spent less time playing video games with others, they spent less time doing other activities with others as well (Study Examines Video Game Play Among Adolescents, Science Daily, 2007). What a great opportunity to do something fun with your kids that they actually like doing and that they get excited about.

On your other discussion about brain activity, I am still a little confused about the study you are mentioning here. You state that it is questionable whether or not the tests are comparable and answer it with a simples yes, how do we know this? Then you say the number test actually requires less brain activity than that of the video game, how does this prove the number test concluded superior results when the video game kept the brain more active? I have found information on many studies that show video games increase learning abilities and required people to think in a new way. Professor of Learning Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, James Gee states “…the cognitive benefits of playing video games: pattern recognition, system thinking, even patience…can exercise the mind the way physical activity exercises the body.” (Your Brain on Video Games, Discover Magazine Online, 2005). People who exercise regularly do so to keep their body in shape, video games do just that for your brain, not using it can make it sluggish and less ready to think critically and learn new things. Now I’m not saying that video games are the best or in any way the most superior activity for keeping your brain active, but I say it doesn’t hurt.

Works Cited

Your Brain on Drugs, Discover Magazine Online, 2005. Web. 7 Sep. 2009

Violent Video Games Linked to Child Aggression, CNNhealth.com 2008. Web. 7 Sep. 2009

Study Examines Video Game Play Among Adolescents, Science Daily 2007. Web. 8 Sep. 2009

Wow Jared! I never realized that computer games especially World of War Craft have such a large following. It's almost disturbing that a computer game can become such a negative part of a persons life; even to the extent of losing ones job or a fiance! I think that in and of itself is the perfect example in informing everyone that video games can be hazardous in more ways than just your brain. I found an interresting article called Inside the Teenage Brain, written by Dr. Giedd is a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health. "Recently, he spearheaded research showing for the first time that there is a wave of growth and change in the adolescent brain. He believes that what teens do during their adolescent years -- whether it's playing sports or playing video games -- can affect how their brains develop. His main concern seems to be the effect that video games have on relationships and our future, not just for children but adults too (Inside the Teenage Brain, 2002). He says, "We all want to do the best for our children. And what I fear is happening is that we're leaping too far from the neuroscience to such things. I don't think there is any established videotape or CD or computer program or type of music to play that we've shown with any scientific backing to actually help our children (Inside the Teenage Brain)." This can be argued in many ways. There are a lot of learning tools available that may be helpful in some ways. I think the point he is trying to get at is that his concern that all of our life experiences are no longer based off of hearing stories from our grand parents, spending quality time with our families and developmentally growing in the ways that are healthy.

Works Cited:
Frontline: Inside the Teenage Brain. Interview Dr. Jay Geidd.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/interviews/giedd.html. (2002).Web.

All of us have grown up with video games. I started with the Nintendo with those great games like Duck Hunt and Mario. In time I progressed to bigger games take for example Mortal Kombat or Grand Theft Auto. A recent study done by a Michigan State University researcher and colleagues showed that playing violent video games leads to brain activity patterns that may be characteristic for aggressive thoughts. (Video Games Lead To Brain Activity Characteristic of Aggression, 2005) So, since kids are being targeted in modern video ads, this means that violence will reach playgrounds and schools. That's some scary stuff! I know back when I was going through Middle School the worst game out there was Mortal Kombat. Frankly, Call of Duty makes Mortal Kombat look like Bambi. Video games today involve slicing off hooker’s heads, shooting cops, small children, and anything else that crosses the player’s path. Not only are video games taking away kids innocence the video games are also taking away lives. Currently there's two big MMORPGs (Massively Multi player Online Role Playing Game) W.o.W. (World of Warcraft) and Everquest. W.o.W. has 9.3 MILLION players. According to Nannette Richford the psychological field claims that anywhere from 10% to as high as 40% could be hooked. Meaning 930,000 to 3,720,000 people are addicted! (World of Warcraft Addiction: Fact or Fiction, 2009) I visited a website called W.o.W. Detox where people that were once addicted to the game can come and share their stories of addiction. A user that identifies himself as #43536 talks about how playing W.o.W, changed his thoughts on online gaming. 43536 said that he started playing with a buddy while he was in grad school. His buddy almost killed his and his fiancés relationship. He played the game after she had gone to bed at night so he could sneak on and play with online girls. He even made comments about how he would leave his fiancé for girls that he met online. He continues on about how his friend’s fiancé would get avoided due to his buddy's W.o.W. addiction. His fiancé left him due to his addiction. This is not the only story out there like this. In fact, I have a couple friends that are hooked W.o.W. They actually call into work due to the stupid game! In fact yesterday one of them lost their job due to the number of days they called in thanks to W.o.W. The other friend of mine lost his fiancé because he wouldn't stop playing! So think again before pressing that Start button.

Works Cited:

Michigan State University. "Violent Video Games Lead To Brain Activity Characteristic Of Aggression." ScienceDaily 12 October 2005. 9 September 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051012082710.htm

Nannette Richford.”World of Warcraft Addiction: Fact or Fiction” Associated Content 22 November 2007. 9 September 2009
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/456551/world_of_warcraft_addiction_fact_or.html

I tend to disagree, to some extent. I think it's okay to let children play video games, depending on age and type. Of course only allowing them to play for a certain amount of time per day. "Professor Ryuta Kawashima, a brain imaging specialist, from the University of Tohoku Japan has been performing numerous studies on children who play video games comparing them to those who dont. The results were suprising. Kawashima made use of new brain imaging technique that can tell us which parts of the brain children are using along with the parts that they aren't while playing video games. The console of choice was Nintendo. The brain activity of those who were not using Nintendo was measured using the Kraeplin Test. The tester would add single digit numbers for a time span of 30 minutes without any breaks. The Nintendo group was found to only be using parts of the brain associate with vision and movement. The arithmetic group was found to use both left and right hemispheres of the frontal lobe- areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, emotion and impulse control. The argument can be, well does this test really compare to what children are using compared the Nintendo games? The answer is yes. The number test requires less brain activity than would a game on Nintendo ( Heavy Video Game Use by Kids May Slow Brain Development, 2001)". To me this is even more alarming! Children are starting to play violent video games without any parental guidance at younger ages, when brain development is starting to peak. I have family that play Call of Duty on a regular basis. From hearing the younger kids, their language and attitude towards others while "sitting in" for a session, well needless to say it's disturbing. I know that there are games out there that can be educational and possibly good for development. However, those aren't the games that 10 to 15 year olds want to play. With the growing popularity of video games we need to start to think outside the box and the possible outcomes exposing young children to violent video games can do in the future, especially at such an important time in their development.

Works Cited:
"Heavey Video Game Use By Kids May Slow Brain Development." The Observer, 19 August (2001): Rpt. in http://www.About.com/MentalHealth.com; 5 November 2005. Web.

Ever since Atari released the infamous “Pong” game, video games have been one of the greatest sources of entertainment for young adults and children. With its unmatched popularity it is only expected that people want to know, just as they do for everything else, “are these really good for me?” Having personally grown up with the constant access to video games, I cannot imagine what life would be like without them. I like to believe I didn’t turn out any less damaged than I would have without them. I think video games are much like learning something new like puzzle solving, playing word games and board games, or having a stimulating conversation, all of which contribute to your brain activity and keep it active. Most video games require problem solving, hand and eye coordination, memorizing facts, learning techniques, accomplishing goals, and even the most violent ones like Grand Theft Auto---though I do not support them for most people---require map reading. I agree that, like all things, video games are great in moderation. It is important to use discretion however when choosing what games you allow yourself and children to play and how much time is allowed for playing, but I say let them play!

I myself am a fan of video games. I received my first Nintendo when I was five. However I do believe that under the right cirucumstances video games can be hazardous to a child's development and health. There has always been the debate, "Do violent video games make children kill?" With all of the newly diagnosed mental conditions among children and young teens it's very imporatant for parents to be involved with their children outside of the video game world. I myself dont agree with allowing your child to sit in their bedroom for hours on end playing violent video games and not having any type of social activity outside of that. I dont believe that video games are the number one cause of violence among children, however they dont help either. Parents need to know what is going on in their childs life, like I said, there are far too many other factors that can play into violence. Some examples are bullying at school, absent parents and depression (since it is steadily on the rise).

In recent news video games have grown more and more in popularity; the question is though, is it a good or bad thing? Video games are being made to target all sorts of audiences all the way from early childhood to adults. In fact, on September 8th Rock band (a widely known game amongst high school and college students) is releasing Rock band: Beatles. Honestly I cannot wait for it. Although a recent study showed that 85% of all video games have violence. I believe that video games can be seriously unhealthy for a person, both socially and mentally. A popular RPG (role playing game) called World of Warcraft is responsible for destroying relationships, jobs, due to W.o.W.'s addicting qualities.