Lessons Our Children are Learning from Video Games
We must ask ourselves if we want game designers to hold the power to decide what kind of people our children will be.
Parenting today is so very hard, especially when the world is accepting of unbiblical teachings. The temptation to be whisked into the worldly way of raising children can be overwhelming. Video gaming is a distraction, it is a source of entertainment, and it takes us away from our work as Christians and parents to raise our children in the way of the Lord. We must be cautious as we choose activities and their impact on our children.
Pay careful attention, then, to how you live– not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Unwelcomed Lessons
It is imperative that every parent, grandparent, teacher, and childcare worker know what children are really learning in today’s video games. They start out cute when children are young with sweet furry animals or favorite cartoon characters involved in innocent activities. However, they quickly evolve into shocking graphics, developing killer instincts, sexual activity, and the absorption of their lives. While there may be some minuscule skills and information learned through gaming, parents must weigh those positives against the enormous potential for danger and longer-range harm.
We are in the infancy of the internet and video gaming. Graphics of violence and sexual acts, lyrics of the music used and the themes of conquering through violence and aggression continue to escalate with each sale of these extreme acts. Children are introduced to the world of gaming at younger and younger ages. We must be proactive in our command of our homes and the lives of our children.
Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Psalm 90:12
Values, Morals, and Changes in the Brain’s Processing of Information Learned
The following list contains subtle changes occurring with continuous gamers
- Behavioral Addiction
- Acceptance of Violence
- Thrill of Gambling
- Importance of Self – Narcissism
- Demonic images and Figures Displayed Frequently
- Disrespect for Human Life
- Glamorization of Criminal Activity
- Disrespect for Authority and Laws
- Control and Power
- Lack of Empathy
- Glamorization of Torture
- Acceptance of Rape
- Lack of ability to Differentiate between real and Virtual Worlds
- Fixating on Tactile Ways to Invade and Escaped Detection
- Acceptance of Child Sex and Child Rape
- Questionable Values and Morals
- Stealing Rewarded
And he told them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15
In uncovering research about the impacts of video games on children, we must first recognize the financial impact the industry has on the United States. If we are looking to the U.S. for research, we will likely find more reports of little harmful affects. This is due to the number of businesses associated with the gaming industry and also to the addiction of adults and researchers to gaming. Looking at research, we can generally find evidence to support any outcome. However, when children, their future, and their brains are at stake, we must be more protective and cautious. Jeopardizing our children for entertainment should not be an option.
I FEAR THE DAY THAT TECHNOLOGY WILL SURPASS OUR HUMAN INTERACTION. THE WORLD WILL HAVE A GENERATION OF IDIOTS. Albert Einstein
