by Rebecca Anderson

Created on: April 25, 2009

A lot of times, the people who inform me that video games are helpful to teens, are people who are teens themselves and play video games. It the famous 'weed' answer; "No, pot is actually good for you, and it's not a gateway drug."

Video games put children in a chair, and essentially just involve them one step further than TV does. They are doing nothing, moving their thumbs around, and maybe an index finger. Parents will encourage their child to develop their motor skills, then wonder why the child may be becoming over weight.

Video games are violent and rude. There are very few "family" games. Games now encourage stealing, murder, theft, curse words, sex, and a slew of other acts that, I hope, most parents would shy their children from being exposed to. It also becomes a sort of fantasy world, where nothing can ever happen, you never get in trouble, and when the end does come, there's always the "reset" button.

But, once more with the motor-skills argument, isn't there something else that can better develop this? Something that does not involve violence, sitting on a couch all day, and can develop better character? Physical activities, such as playing outdoors, can also develop this. More activities as a family or a team can also develop further things that video games never can.

Recent studies even prove that video games can cause disorders. There are mental disorders, leading to crimes against the law and against their own parents. There are also physical disorders because of eye strain and even seizures.

I myself have played video games. I found I was losing several hours in the day to them, getting angry if I didn't win, putting off activities with my family, and just plain being lazy. This article is not coming from a parent, but from a teen who has been an avid gamer once. I will never return. Although I may enjoy a few minutes at the controls, I limit this almost always, and give myself a half hour, and then step away.

Of course video games are not all bad, but they aren't all good either. In my opinion, the bad outweighs the good, and parents should be taking better watch. I also believe that teens should be targeted when trying to force them to step back from video games. Teens should be just as involved with the movement, as well. They should give their opinions, ask questions, and have the right to debate. Involving them is a sure way to at least get them on board with a debate.

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