EFFECT OF PLAYING VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES AMONG CHILDREN ON THEIR PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES
Adolescents are young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years – are often thought of as a healthy group. Adolescence is a period of major physical and psychological change, as well as great changes in social interactions and relationships. Adolescents (aged 10 to 19 years) have specific health and development needs, and many face challenges that hinder their well being, including poverty, a lack of access to health information and services, and unsafe environments. Interventions that address their needs can save lives and foster a new generation of productive adults who can help their community’s progress.
One in every five people in the world is an adolescent, and 85% of them live in developing countries. According to World Health Organization report, nearly two thirds of premature deaths and one third of the total disease burden in adults are associated with conditions or behaviours that began in youth, including tobacco use, a lack of physical activity, unprotected sex or exposure to violence. Promoting healthy practices during adolescence and efforts that better protect this age group from risks will ensure longer, more productive lives for many. At least 20% of young people will experience some form of mental illness - such as depression, mood disturbances, substance abuse, suicidal behaviours or eating disorders. Promoting mental health and responding to problems if they arise requires a range of adolescent-friendly health care and counselling services in communities. Among 15-19 year olds, suicide is the second leading cause of death, followed by violence in the community and family.
The effect of video games on adolescents is not well characterized despite a growing body of evidence demonstrating their addictive nature and popularity. Indeed, video game use may exceed that of television use in children. In pre-adolescent teenagers, obesity has been linked to increasing time spent on video games, the saturation of our culture and daily lives by the mass media. In this new environment radio, television, movies, videos, video games, cell phones, and computer networks have assumed central roles in our children’s daily lives. For better or worse the mass media are having an enormous impact on our children’s values, beliefs, and behaviours. Promoting nurturing relations between parents and children early in life, training in life skills can help prevent violence.
