Do alternative reality games damage children's social skills?

No

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by Leon K

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It is a common misconception in regards to entertainment products such as video games that simply because a young person may find them exceedingly interesting, that they will disregard all factors of the outside world in terms of social skills and education. This simply is just not true. In fact, the average gamer here in Australia is 23 years old. The misconception is false for the reason that firstly, children are not drawn to video gaming as a sole activity as so stereotypically perceived, and secondly that video gaming as a sole activity is something that can only be done by someone who is in the situation to freely do so. However they will find that life cannot be lived on fun alone. If the question was, "Do video games ruin social skills?" Then even at that point you would have to rule out children who are in early high school or younger. This view on gaming is one that has derived from pre 1990's culture in which the video gaming industry was at a boom and provided yet so many wondrous advanced in the field.

The question is, "Do alternative reality games ruin children's social skills?" Video gaming in itself does not directly hinder the development of a child's social skills in any way, especially if you were to consider the prospects of a multiplayer environment. However, it is in the act of gaming itself in which I believe that argument is deriving from. To delve deeper into the accusation, you will notice that in order for that accusation to be totally plausible you would have to include rules in order for it to be true. Firstly, in order for the accusation to be correct you would have to assume that;

a. The child has no communication to other children of his age group

b. The child is permitted to disregard educative duties such as homework

c. The child does not wish to participate in social activities

d. The child is an only child

These are only a few reasons in which would be the load baring arguments which would be holding up the structure of the accusation. These are things in which I find quite perplexing, this seem like symptoms of bad parenting. However I am not in the business of suggesting alternative parenting skills but in fact I would state that children should be supervision of their parents in the activities in which they partake in and also to teach their children certain life skills rather then throw them at the mercy of the media machine. If you date back to the release of the television and also the starting point of a mass production of television shows and movies as well as documentaries and so forth. The old saying used to be known as, "Too much TV will rot your brain". This was an exceptional stage in the technological revolution that swept the world much similar to the interactive gaming rush that has so recently entered the market place and a place in our society's cultural activities. The general idea of television rotting your brain is one that derived from observation of the content and the way that society has dealt with the content. The fact that the television content may be less limited that what it is now, the content is one that is limited to both variety and interactivity.

So let us analyse the content in question that would be detrimental to the social development of children being "reality games". I would like to state firstly that the term "Reality game" is one that is not correct, "reality game" would constitute that one would play this game to participate in shopping, going to school and the dishes. I will say that "Interactive video games" are what is in question to the hindering of a child's social skills. Too refer to an article written by Kristen on Newsvine.com titled, "Can games make your kid a better citizen?" And they go on to open by saying, "Parents of video-gaming children, take heart: Your kid is not destined to become an anti-social hermit who lives at home until he's 35. In fact, a new study shows that all that game time could actually be making him a better citizen." The study was conducted by the Pew internet and American life project.

Why would someone be so bold as to even claim such a thing against the common perception? Well basically after analysing the content and societies ability to deal with the content differed from that of the age of the television. The interactivity of video games on a multiplayer scale has a certain cultural way to act. These are based on morality so therefore it would be unethical to swear or make fun of a person but rather allow the completive environment to flourish. In the multiplayer world ignorance is frowned upon, the exchange of knowledge and information is always accepted and considered and also that the only thing differing you from your opponent is your skill.

With a few variations this sounds much like the social life. In the world of internet games, it's a totally different world ruled by ethics and morals by choice with minimal enforcing. If you go against these codes of unsaid conduct than the only consequence is being extricated from the community, that's all. The games offer people to use their wits and think their way out of situations with excellent graphical and interactive breakthroughs that this era has to offer along with the immense competition amongst game producers, the titles just get even better and better. They offer the chance to work as a team with whoever is available regardless of whom they are. It offers mystery and excitement full of wonder and energy that is hard to just ignore. Although there are sometimes undesirables in the certain internet communities, the sense of privacy is enough to ensure you a comfortable experience. In addition, the average gamer in Australia is 23 and it becomes increasingly hard to use games as a total concern when the costs of living prevent the ability to continue to play those games. Therefore requiring work, work leads to social stability and hence assembling a balance in which gaming becomes an activity part of the lifestyle.

In conclusion, no I do not believe gaming hinders a Childs level of development of social skills, rather it helps to a certain degree and requiring balance in order to be continued. One cannot vow to jet-ski on a daily basis without paying for boat fuel. Thank you.

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