Dear Readers: Last week’s column on video games stimulated a rash of mail—many in defense of video games. Stay tuned for the other side of the story.
Dear Straight Talk: While I believe many teens are playing video games and watching TV excessively, I don’t feel it is the cause of teen anger, lack of drive, or social disconnection. Rather, I feel it is an outlet for those things. If parents really believed video games were the problem they would have already solved it by taking away the gaming system and not allowing their teen to visit friends who game. It’s really not hard to take control in that type of situation.
If parents spent more time with their children and knew what was going on with them they would link their child’s behavior to ADD, ADHD, depression, or problems at home and school. Video games are just the easiest thing to blame.—F.F., College student
Dear Straight Talk: Akio Mori’s research concluding that video games cause a lack of beta brainwaves in the frontal brain is ridiculous. Many of his claims are disputed—especially that it is a permanent condition.—No name
Dear Straight Talk: Having been addicted to TV and video games from age 5 to 16, I think ‘video game addiction’ comes from a wanting to be a part of something greater than yourself. Having friends, playing sports, being a work-a-holic, all stem from this same wanting. As a gamer, I understand the draw, the ease, the accessibility of being in a community without prejudice of any kind (unless I’m really bad at the game, of course).
I agree, kids spend too much time in front of the computers/consoles and spending more time outside would be good for them, but beyond getting exercise and sunshine, what is it we really want for them? We want them to bond with their siblings, make friends, create lasting memories—in essence, we want them to interact with the world.
But the world is changing in terms of how we interact—there’s MySpace, online communications, cell phones, Instant Messenger. Is this creating a generation of depressed, isolated, angry teenagers? Maybe, but are we any worse than past generations of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s? I think the jury is still out.—UC Berkeley
Dear Straight Talk: One of the problems is that parents aren’t part of the gaming world. I grew up watching my mother play Super Mario Brothers on the original 1980’s Nintendo. Soon I was playing with her. My sister grew up watching me play video games and soon she and I played together (to this day, we still enjoy turning on our old Super Nintendo and playing a game together). Are she and I any less creative, intelligent, or outgoing than our peers? I don’t think so.
One suggestion to parents is to try to interact in this world; try to play a game with your kid, even if you’re terrible. On XBOX-Live my college friends and I often play against 13-year-olds and their fathers.—age 21
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