"Are online games helpful or harmful to education? Why do you feel this way? Find an article online about educational games that supports your argument. Provide a link for it in your blog and a response to the article."

I feel as though online video games, and video games in general, are harmful to education when they are not monitored and used in moderation. The problem with video games in general is that they can be so addicting. Recent news and research has shown youth suicide rates are increasing due to the game addiction. Playing video games can be like an addictive drug that the person cannot go without.

The other problem that is occurring throughout the country and throughout the world is the type of games that are being played. Research has shown that violent video games produce violent results in real life. Although this is study is highly debated on the validity of the topic, it is hard to argue some of the findings.

The other major problem with video games is the amount of time the children spend playing them. Studies have shown that, “About 90 percent of U.S. kids ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so (more if you're a boy)” (CNN Health Magazine, 2009). With all of this time playing video games, children could really be spending their time doing something more productive; especially with the increase of obesity rates and decrease of academic standing.

The article that I have chosen focuses violent video games and the impact that they have on today’s youth. Experts have seen a correlation between the type of video game played and the behavior that follows. The study suggests that violent video games produce violent behaviors. According to Dr. L. Rowell Huesmann, who has been studying violence in media and behavior for more than 30 years, “The findings are "pretty good evidence" that violent video games do indeed cause aggressive behavior” (CNN Health Magazine, 2009). This is a scary finding because of the amount of video games played by the children can have an impact on their behavior, especially if the games are violent. The article also mentions how games can affect the emotions of children. “Also, he says, kids can become desensitized to violence. "When you're exposed to violence day in and day out, it loses its emotional impact on you," Huesmann said. "Once you're emotionally numb to violence, it's much easier to engage in violence" (CNN Health Magazine, 2009).

After reading the article and considering my experience with video games in general, I feel that online games are harmful to education. I’m not saying that I haven’t played video games and that I am totally against them. However, I feel that there are more productive activities that people can partake in. Sure, everyone needs to unwind and have fun once in awhile. My feelings are that video games should not be taken out of children’s homes, but violent ones should. Even if there is a chance that there is a connection between violence in virtual and real life it only makes sense to eliminate those specific games. As for video games in general, it is a part of our new technology world. With that being said, the use of these games should be used in moderation and monitored by parents.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/11/03/healthmag.violent.video.kids/