CA Discussion – Video Gaming (part 1)

I have decided to express my view on the topic in a self debate which is to rebut against myself after stating my stand. I will be separating this into mainly two posts, one agreeing to the topic while the other disagreeing.

To refresh your memory, here is the debate topic:

Video gamers should not be generally criminalized as suffering from a medical condition, as they have much to offer that will benefit society.

Firstly, I will be disagreeing with the topic. I believe video gaming is easily addictive and the authorities should recognize the social threat posed by the increasing number of video game addicts.

Let us define the word, ‘addiction’. It is when a person needs more and more of something to keep him going and if the person does not get more of something, he becomes irritable and miserable. Some of the game addicts actually commented that when they were playing the game, they can’t just get up and walk away. From the above evidence and my definition, it is evident that video gaming is easily addictive. Others commented that the higher level they get, the longer they have to stay on it to move onward, and they would be addicted when it wasn’t fun anymore.

In violent video games, games characters which have been killed are brought back to life. Therefore, players who have learned to use violence to solve problems in these video games may start acting violently in real life, causing them to be aggressive and out of control. Some children do not understand that when you kill someone, they cannot come back to life, as depicted by many video games. Players also kill enemies, vanquish rivals, and overcome obstacles in video games. Therefore, players will relate it to real life and think that using violence is alright.

Although players compete with friends online, the fact is that they are still sitting alone in front of their monitors. This isolation will cause an increase in the separation from their family and friends. Players will drop out of their social networks and giving up other hobbies. There are also chances for adventure and heroism and romance in video games which are rarely found in real life. They will start to think that video games is real life, or at least a more interesting place to be than in the real world. However, that’s the virtual world.

I also believe if game addicts are banned playing video games, they will become more interested in real life, and less interested in the conjured up fake life.

Form the above pointers, I believe that video gaming is easily addictive and that authorities should recognize the social problems and take action to control video games in the same way that tobacco or alcohol use is restricted.