subject: Video Games: The Concerns And The Benefits [print this page] By the end of October 2009 Venezuela will probably have in place legislation prohibiting the ownership of violent video games and toys. The all-out ban is something of a rarity, though many governments are trying to regulate video gaming industry by the dissemination of games with violent and explicit content to minors and by introducing content rating systems.
The proponents of Venezuelan legislation see a direct link between video games and crime. They say too many of the young players easily trade joysticks for guns. On the other hand, the opponents point out that most studies found no evidence that violent games prompt violent behaviour in youngsters.
Benefits
Parents' concerns about video games are not limited to potentially unsuitable content. Many worry about the amount of time their kids spend in front of the screen and the physical effects of an inactive lifestyle.
However, carefully selected video games, consumed in reasonable quantity, can be beneficial. Video games are often challenging; the gamer needs to have good visual-motor skills, strong analytical abilities, flexibility, adaptability, and lots of patience and focus.
The fact that gamers often score better than non-gamers in various tests designed to measure certain skills does not necessarily mean that your capabilities will blossom if you play carefully selected games: it may be that individuals who already possess superior abilities are more likely to choose video gaming as an activity in the first place.
Still, it has been noticed that gamers exhibit very high levels of concentration while playing. This can be exploited by educational institutions. Video games could help teach students - without them even realising they're learning.
The changing demographics
Video game players are becoming more diversified. They are no longer recruited from the ranks of teenage boys. Both older men and women are now more likely to be attracted to gaming than they used to be. (Part of the explanation may be the kids who were twelve at the time of the birth of the gaming industry are still playing in their thirties and forties.Computers and game consoles have penetrated much of the globe, which means that gamers are no longer geographically confined to developed Western countries.
However, the demographics of video game characters have not kept up with changes in the cross-section of players. As a rule, video games are populated with males, adults and white people, while females, black people, children and the elderly are under-represented.
Even a cursory glance at the thousands of video games populating an average store seems to confirm that this is indeed so. It is really difficult to find a video game featuring little old ladies from ethnic minority groups!
