There are so many controversial reports out there about kids and video games. Pro-gaming researchers claim that playing video games improves your child’s logical thinking abilities and problem solving skills. Gamers have excellent fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration and alertness, and (believe it or not) visual acuity.
The anti-game establishment claims that video games cause nothing but problems. Short attention span, repetitive stress injuries, photosensitive epilepsy, hallucinations, desensitization to violence, increased aggressive behavior and thoughts, decreased prosocial (helping) behavior, and obesity.
I am neither pro nor anti gaming. My son was weaned on Super Mario Brothers. He learned to read primarily so that he could play Lufia and Earthbound. His facination with gaming systems began at an early age when his father and I purchased the first video game system for our kids in the early ’90s.
I think the problem occurs when you allow your child to play age-inappropriate games (No - you are not “mature” enough for Halo) or allow your child to play video games to the point of becoming a one-dimensional person. This could happen with any activity that you allow them to do to the exclusion of everything else - even the “good” activities.
For example, I know from parenting experience that reading can be bad for you. It’s true! When a child is allowed to read too much it causes headaches, lack of sleep, poor posture, poor hand-eye coordination, social awkwardness and isolation, increased fantasy life, weight gain, and extremely pasty white skin. Preferring to read a book on the playground or at lunch, rather than talking to or playing with other children, is a sign that reading has become an unhealthy obsession. The same goes for video games.
Another problem I have with video games is the constant and unrelenting release of new and improved systems. Gaming companies seem to strategically release these new systems right around Christmas time. Hoping, I’m sure, that you won’t be able to resist the pleas for Santa to bring the latest tech toy.
The Boy is a technophile and he’s managed to amass quite a collection of systems, games and accessories. He could probably open a small museum. Currently he owns 11 different gaming systems along with the necessary games, controllers, accelerators, and what-not. Still, Nintendo has him all worked up over the latest gaming system - the Wii (pronounced we).
I quote from his Christmas wish list:
A nintendo Wii (I’m so willing to wait in line for 12 hours if it means i can get it on christmas) Also it comes with Wii Sports so you know , i can play it right out of the box w/out any extra buying (not that I wouldn’t enjoy a little bit of extra buying)
Accessories for my wii would also be welcome, an extra controller and nunchuk attatchment is good, and maybe if you loved me enough you could get me Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess!!!
Apparently I do not love him enough because he will not be getting a Wii for Christmas this year. After years of video game Christmas presents, Steve & I have decided to get him gifts that focus on other things he likes to do besides video games this year. If he really wants the Wii, he’ll have to buy it for himself. At $250 for the basic system or $650 for the bundle, it will probably take him a while. Maybe he can trade in some of those other gaming systems.
Personally, I hope he doesn’t manage to get a Wii, because if he does I’m sure we’ll be a featured story on this website. 
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