Computer games have a bad image for many years. Critics say computer gamers are more aggressive than and not as clever as their fellow human beings. Reporter spoke to a permanent player. He also sees the benefits of computer games.
Every day the same game: When the 18-year-old comes home from school, he throws his bag aside and immediately turns on the PC. At school, he is often called an “addict” or “nerd”. In addition, most people think he’s stupid, because he spends all day in front of the computer with video games. But Sebastian defends himself against such prejudices: “Through all the games, for example, I’ve gotten better in English because I chat with other people in English at video games” says the teenager.
The situation is complex
Computer games do not have a good reputation. It is said that the games would make the youngsters stupid, aggressive, or even goose bumpers. But mostly the situation is more complex. Also psychological illnesses, the personality structure of the players or their experiences in the real life decide on whether the adolescents are negatively influenced by the plays.
Reality and game are blurred
In any case, caution is advised: because children cannot really differentiate between reality and play, they quickly become angry when they lose. Parents should therefore control what their young children play because not every game is suitable for small children.
The addictiveness is not only a problem for young children. Even teenagers can become addicted to computer and video games. Playing too long causes you to keep thinking about the game, even after the console or PC is off. This is how you want to play again as soon as possible. And you take every opportunity to do so.
Games can also be helpful
But video games can also promote individual functions of the body and thereby improve. Hand-eye coordination is usually much better for non-gamblers playing video games. And as a test of the TV show “World of Wonders” showed a few years ago, the players could even compete with students in an intelligence test and were equally good in a written test.
About five years ago, Sebastian was under medical treatment for his addiction to video games. The doctor told him permanent damage if he continued like this. Sebastian is doing his high school diploma today. When he comes home, he still throws the bag in the corner. Then a new round of playing begins.
Rules are taught in games
In computer games, children can learn social skills and rules as well as in football or handball, according to Rosen stock. “Rules for a culture have always been conveyed to children through games,” explains the professor from Greifswald. Computer games are as suitable as board games or football. The language control in the games is high; there is a code of conduct.
The skepticism of the parents and grandparents generation against computer games, however, according Rosen stock decreases. Even older people increasingly understand that computer games are important for their generation and bring benefits. “Computer games can compensate for handicaps, they can bring back movement and they can open up cultural spaces that the user would otherwise never enter.” Initial studies have shown positive effects of computer games on older people with dementia.
