Week 6: The Newest "Addiction's: Video Games and The Internet"

Week 6: (Social Connection/ Social Gaming)
The Newest “Addiction’s: Video games and the Internet”

Are Video Games harmful to you? We don’t really know for sure yet. According to the readings that we had this past week, it seems like they are leaning towards the answer being; Yes. In the article; Introduction: The Digital Revolution, the Informed Citizen, and the Culture of Democracy written by Henry Jenkins and David Thorburn they state; “Many political commentators predicted that networked computing might be the decisive factor in the election of 2000. By November 2000, 64% of all voters were Internet users and 90% of Americans on the Internet were registered voters. The Web would offer, these commentators claimed, the least costly and most effective means of reaching likely voters”.
It seems like even as far back as then they (the public as well as politicians) were aware of the usage of internet-computers and were already planning on how to use it to their benefits (reaching the public/votes). And with all the information that was provided (data/facts/examples) that was provided in the article, it looks like they did make that leap in the connection between them. Best ways to get people to do what you want, send subdural messages through the internet, and especially games. Most people are so busy having fun, playing the game that they really don’t notice those simple things going on all around them.
And in regards toward addicting, video games are very addicting. You get so involved in them that you block out things like need to sleep, eating, socializing with others until it gets to the extreme level of need. There are thousands of dollars being spent on a daily base. I tried a game that someone I knew had on their new phone that they had gotten this past month. And let me tell you something, it was so much fun and I couldn’t put it down. He keep asking me for it back and I kept saying; “Yeah, yeah just a minute. Just one more try”. Luckily, I didn’t have class the next day, because I played like six (6) more games before I finally let go of the game. I can also say, that I can guarantee each time we get together this past week or so, I have asked for any pretty much played that game, until he takes it away from me.
Now in regards towards Social Connecting; we as human beings are undeniably social creatures (this also includes Gamers too). And according to Sandra Chen, who wrote the article; The Social Network Game Boom, which is posted on GAMASUTRA, “With over 200 million people registered on Face book, the most popular social networking site, and millions, millions more on similar sites like MySpace, BEBO, and Hi5, social networking has become a part of daily life.”
This is so true; we have seen that worldwide, social activists are using social networking sites to organize protest. People are talking to each other through these web pages, vs. reading emails or call each other on the phone.
It is a testament to the power of social networking, and likewise social games, which is essentially games created to be played within existing major social networking websites. Social connections and gaming are becoming more and more connected, getting to be that they go hand in hand with each other.
Social networking has changed so much on how we consume information and how we play games. And on such places as FACEBOOK and the rest, you will generally find a clutter of unfettered information that leads to what social scientists call “ambient awareness”. It’s like being there at the same time as your friends, but not really paying attention to them, until you needed to.
You’re making social connections with others; friends as well as people that you don’t even know, but you can get information on at almost any given moment of time. And I have done this myself sometimes, but also at the same time as a mother of teens, who live on the internet, it is also too true that it can be dangerous for you. My daughter talks to her friends via FACEBOOK, as well as MySpace. Leaves messages for them there, gets ones that they have left her. Plus can read/ connect per say with people that they know but she doesn’t. While she hasn’t had anything bad happen per say to her, it can be scary I am telling you. I have learned more and more about all of these sites, as well as trying to keep on top of what is going on there. Let me tell you something, it can be a full-time job doing this.
So, while reading all that we had for the past week I can tell you that while I am still not sure about video games being harmful for you, I am convinced that at least some of them have addicting ability in them. I can personally contest to these. And in regards towards Social Connection; while it’s a great thing out there and I have used it sometimes, it also has harmful sides to it, all you have to do is look at the news (TV or newspaper etc) at any given time or place. So many people have been hurt (beaten, raped, kidnapped) and in some cases murdered.
In conclusion, let me leave you with these thoughts; what are your kids doing this summer, and what to do with your preteens and teens this summer? Now, I know what I would like, them going to school and brushing up on their social skills in a project based social-learning environment. Sounds like Fun and Educational, right? But, realistically we know that this not going to happen, unless they mess up in school. So, talk with your kids and see what they are doing, keep on top of them and their internet actions. Don’t let them be the next news item, becoming a statistic.