The computer is the favorite toy of the century. We love it for its many great benefits. You can use it for work, reading, information, school, mailing and keeping in touch with friends, for relaxation and for entertainment. Today life without the computer would seem impossible. Yes, and this is the very reason we hate it. I don’t know what I would do if my computer were to crash. It’s the worst nightmare that I wouldn’t wish on even the most horrible person. I hate relaying on technology but the truth is that I am addicted.
There is life when that magic box is switched off, life that seems to come to a complete stand still when you were glued to its bright window. When the computer is off you are in the dimension where what you say and what you do actually mean something. You see, the world in your computer has not rules. You can play a car racing game and run over a bunch of police cars and win. There’s another game where the gamer is supposed to shoot and kill, the more people you kill the better you are at the game. If you don’t shoot them first they will shoot you. The gamers became addicted to this world of no limits and violence.
Not all computer games are violent. Some are educational and very helpful. I myself have used computer games to help children in their academic studies. There’s Mavis Becan Typing Tutor, which teaches touch typing. Yet these learning games aren’t the most popular. These ones are the entertainment games. Some computer games are harmless entertainment, such as Pac Man, Solitaire, and Simulators. Yet they become addicting, and one can spend hours over hours while the whole world is ignored.
Similarly, computer games that are violent and promote killing and shooting have been noted to make the gamers more hostile and prone to violence. They can’t seem to cope in the world outside the box with rules, respect, limits and laws. The mature gamer might be able too, but the young and influential might mix up reality with the game and begin down a very dangerous road.
Like stated previously, there is life beyond that box and children who are addicted to computer games miss out on that. Children need to be with their peers, outside in nature. Doctors say that children should get up to two and a half hours of exercise and fresh air every day in order to stay healthy. Child psychologist state that children who play violent computer games are more likely to never make close connections with parents and friends. The computer is not at fault but rather it is the parents or guardian’s responsibility to make sure their child leads a balanced life. Just like a parent needs to provide and care for their children, making sure that they get their food and needs, they need to make sure their children are physically strong and emotionally unattached to such habits.
Children love to play outside; they love to make friends and are a bright and happy bunch. Keeping a time limit to how many hours your child spends weekly on the computer is a good family rule to put in place, living in an area where there is lots of space for children to run and play, away from the city offers them the space the need to get exercise. Giving children hugs and affection, playing with them and having family time everyday are just a few things you, as a parent could do to keep your child happy and healthy, living in the real world.
To sum it up, computer games should be limited in homes if children are to really enjoy and experience their life. And if you are addicted to your computer like a lot of us are, than give yourself a break and switch it off for your times of relaxation. You will be amazed at how much fun you can have learning a new hobby, going for a walk, watching the sunset, playing with children, reading a book and so much more that is real and meaningful. You should never let something have too much prominence in your life, especially if it’s a magic box and you’re the bunny. What I am trying to say is don’t let the computer use you, you use the computer.
