NEED OF THE STUDY
Video game regulation is intended to lessen the potentially negative effects of games by limiting children's access to age-inappropriate games. Evidence suggests that the prevalence of video games, especially violent video games, among adolescents from low- and middle- income countries is increasing dramatically and requires additional investigation to evaluate the connection between violent video games and aggressive behaviours. Lack or insufficient reinforcement of copyright protections and the selling of rated video games to children in these countries have intensified public concerns on the possible negative impact of violent video games on aggressive cognitions, attitudes, behaviours, academic performance, and the psychological well-being of children. Research studies proved that videogame playing significantly affected their school performance and also researchers concluded that violent media make people numb to the pain and suffering of others.
Hyderabad is a rapidly developing area with its outskirts consisted of mixed group of population. Children in Hyderabad had the advantage of becoming familiar with the newer techniques and technology because of its fast development. During summer, especially in the month of April and May more children spend time in playing video games and it is one of the main entertainment. In India, awareness regarding effect of playing violent video game and videogame rating is very less. Parents and children often they do not choose age appropriate videogames. Some encourage their children to play games thinking that it helps them to learn computer. Though the advantage of playing non violent video game is significant one can’t ignore or underestimate the effect of playing violent video games.
Many children are attracted towards videogame playing since in schools they were introduced computer games in educational context. Perhaps the children are curious they explore the other ways and means and the peer pressure makes them to get involved in and exposed to violent video games. There is an active involvement while video game playing and they identify themselves in those characters. They become more personalized with game playing which motivates them for continuous playing.
Every child has the right to health and life free from violence and abuse. While we recognize a child as an individual possessing right, it is imperative to emerge with strategies and procedures that operate in the best interest of the child and that protects every child from violations of their rights thereby helping them become responsible citizens. It requires in- depth knowledge and research activities pertaining to the issues to plan and build upon.
Though many research conducted in other countries in relation to playing violent video game and the mass media scientifically explained that the effects are bad, still one can’t generalize for the whole lot of children. The results are context specific. In India, studies related to this are very scarce. It needs scientific investigation. With this background information, the need is identified by the researcher to undertake a study on effect of playing violent video games among children on their psycho-physiological variables in Hyderabad.
