Video Game Skills May Give Edge in Life

The "wired" generation; from online gaming to Myspace, these are the new "norms" in our technologically driven society. I believe that video games do increase some skills but some they lack in luster. While helping children with their reaction time and vision, gaming removes the fundamentals of being a child. It has been twenty plus years since the invention of computer gaming, so now there is loads of data to study. I believe we have only scratched the surface of what is to come. A new generation has blossomed, of people who have grown up accustomed to this. Now these people are having children. What is to come of these children? Only time will tell .

Growing up my parents got divorced when I was young. When my dad decided to remarry ,the women had two children of her own, she also had a COMMODORE 64. This thing was awsome. I wasted hours a day playing games. So as a kid raised on gaming, I have a fair share to say on the matter. I believe these children now lack a more creative sense and imagination . With video gaming, their reality is altered right before their eyes, elimaniting the need to stimulate their own mind to see where imagination will take it. It is already pre processed and packaged as an "alternative reality". Sadly enough this means that children are no longer building forts or exploring in the woods. I remember my favorite thing, as a kid, to do was go out as far out into the woods as I could.. Each time going farther and farther culminating in an epic journey. Where is the fun and imagination in playing video games. I had a BB-gun that I would use to increase my visual acuity and reaction time. Simulating the real world is a great thing but these children are missing the fundamentals such as running barefoot, grassstains, and scraped knees. These are things no video game can simulate.

I am a firm believer that there is a direct between ADHD / ADD and video games. I believe that children now have the luxury of not having to find something to do. Never being bored. Never having to stimulate their mind with a book or imaginary play.

These games, although, are a great benefit because they teach children to work with others. Not just others of their own age, but people whom are older and come from a wide array of ethnic backgrounds. Utilizing technology as a new means of communication,