Fantasy vs. Reality

            Many kids are now losing out on the experience of the real world and diving into the fantasy world.  Kids now would rather play a video game or computer game alone with people they do not know rather than going out and experiencing the real world for themselves.  Why are more and more kids playing video games than involving themselves in activities in school where you are actually communicating and building real life relationships rather than online relationships?  The common stereotype of a gamer is that they do not fit in or do not have many real friends that they can go out and play with.  Having a screen to hide behind is a benefit for those who do not fit in.  That way they cannot be judged like they may be in reality.  However, video games do offer many educational values which can be applied to the outside world.  Qualities that a person may have but hasn’t mastered it: team work.  Team work is something you see a huge presence of in the work field now.  Playing on a team will help them master strategy and communicating with people they do not know

            There has been a huge debate whether or not video games make children violent.  I firmly believe that they do NOT make the children violent.  Before playing a game, the parents should always make sure their child understands that what they see in the game is not necessarily how life works.  If a parent fails to teach their children what right and wrong is, the parent fails as a parent but will be the first to blame the video games they let their children play.  From the time I can remember, my mom has always taught me right from wrong, so when I did end up playing violent video games, I knew that this was just a game…nothing more.  If all kids acted the way characters in video games or even movies were, the world would be more messed up as it is.  There must always be a balance and the education the parent has instilled in their kids to know that what they see on screen is just a fantasy NOTHING ELSE.

            Everything comes with a price.  Most people see the negative aspect of video games.  However, when it comes to war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, video games can help the victim get over it.  Currently only 4 military hospitals treat PTSD patients with the virtual reality video game.  It has helped these people overcome the PTSD.  Video games will always be a major topic of discussion on whether or not it helps or hurts the person.  Examples like these are what disproves the theory of video games making children violent, in my opinion.  Our nation has come so far in treating patience coming back from war but not much was able to help them.  This way offers a great solution that could benefit the patient in the long run.  Video games are just like books, never judge them buy their cover.