Harm

[Cris_Rowan]

Do you think video games are harmful to children?

[bhrae]

I think anything in moderation is fine, however violent video games are showing adverse affects on children, it is seen in the playground and in the way children are interacting with one another. However, I've noticed this as well when children watch to much violent TV. A steady dose of violence is surely not conducive to healthy relationships.

[shannon]

I once heard a similar question posed, "how much media is okay?" The answer was, "how much poison is okay?". A little bit may not kill you, but do we want our children to be even a little bit sick? There is an infinite number of other activities children can do that contribute to their health and development, there is no need or benefit to media use, I ask why use it at all? I know a great many families whose children don't use any media, they are creative, happy, well-adjusted, they play well, interact well with others and have a generally respectful attitude towards life. They don't know that they're missing mindless sit-coms, senseless violent shootings in video games, sexualized behaviour and being manipulated by commercials. But I am their teacher (in a Waldorf School) and I can see what they are missing. I also see what these children have gained through playtime instead. I admire their parent's decisions.

[Joshdog]

That is a silly comparison. Firstly the word "media" generally refers to not only video games, but some thing to get information to the masses. Be it entertainment or knowledge. This includes tv, newspapers, magazines, books, radio and hey... the internet.
So that Shannon referring to media as poison is quite odd, as she is using media to make that statement.
However, I think her point is that the content of video games and TV are “poison”.
This is a blanket statement that worries me. How about books with violence are they all poison? What in our world IS good when we use it too much? Even books can be “poison” when that’s all a child does.
Video/TV games damaging our kids? Likely only because they are viewing/playing too much and too young. I think a child with no exposure to tv/video game risks having these become a “forbidden fruit” and once the young adult is without supervision it will become all they want to do.
My opinion is kids need moderation, discussion and education not. prohibition, censorship and ignorance.