Is your teenage son addicted to video games or is he just having fun? In this slide share, you will find out the positives of violent video games.

1. How do violent video games
effect your teenage sons life?
By: Steven Cessario, expert mentor and coach for
teenage boys.
For more great information check out …
www.ctmentorandcoach.com
Our blog: www.teenagesons.com

2. Video games have become very popular among many age
groups especially teenagers. It’s common for teenagers to
spend hours playing video games, particularly games with
violence, sex, and criminal behavior.
This is a huge concern for many parents.

3. Many parents tend to believe video games are a waste of
time, antisocial, and believe their child will become violent. But
most young people, especially teen boys describe video games as
fun, exciting, and another way to spend time with friends and even
parents.

4. But what are the effects of violent video games?

5. An interesting fact parents should know is video game
violence can increase aggression in only some individuals,
depending on their personalities.
A violent video game study by Patrick Markey, PhD, sampled
118 teenagers and participants played a violent or a non-
violent video game and then hostility levels were tested.
Teenagers who were “highly neurotic, less agreeable and
less conscientious,” are more likely to be affected by violent
video games. Participants who didn’t have these personality
traits were not affected or only slightly affected.

6. Surprisingly, research has also found violent content isn’t the main draw
for the younger audience. Boys especially, surround friendships around
video games and are more interested in playing to compete and win.
It can be similar to “rough-housing” play boys engage in as part of
normal development. It’s another outlet for competition, status or to
establish a hierarchy in the group (Olson CK. “Children's Motivations for
Video Game Play in the Context of Normal Development”).

7. Teenage boys want to compete with one another but "it doesn't
necessarily mean that because a kid plays a violent video game they're
immediately going to go out and beat somebody up," says Dr. David
Walsh, president National Institute on Media and the Family.
Researchers at Mass General Hospital Center for Mental Health and
Media, discovered teenagers who play violent video and computer
games use it as a way to cope with feelings, such as
aggression, frustration, and stress in a positive way.
Dr. David Walsh

8. Many other scientists and psychologists also think video games
can make your child smart, teaching high level thinking skills
such as multitasking, quick thinking, working cooperatively,
memory and self-confidence.

9. “Playing a video game is similar to working through a science
problem. Like students in a laboratory, gamers must come up with
a hypothesis,” says James Paul Gee, Professor of Education at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
For example, players in some games constantly try out
combinations of weapons and powers to defeat an enemy. If one
does not work, they change hypothesis and try the next
one. Video games are goal-driven experiences, which are
fundamental to learning”.

10. “Dopamine is a chemical released when we encounter
something pleasurable,” like when someone surprisingly finds
a $20 dollar bill in their pocket.
A teenager beating a level or using their favorite weapon to
beat the enemy will release pleasurable feelings. Dopamine is
very important for learning behavior and motivation for
activities in our lives. This is a main reason teenagers love to
play video games. But too much dopamine can become
addicting.

11. Parents should know the difference between a teen having fun
and passing time opposed to being addicted to video games.
Some signs of addiction are losing track of time, not eating and
becoming irritable.
One way to avoid video game addiction is teaching your children
how to develop a balanced lifestyle. Also, create dialogue with
your teen about the content of the video game. Showing
interest in what your teen enjoys can open the door to a better
relationship, improved communication and trust.

12. If you’re still frustrated with your teen, create an agreement
about what you want changed. An agreement can be written or
verbally explained about what is expected when it comes to
chores, school, video games, or other responsibilities. If the
teen, or even the parent breaks the agreement, both can talk
about what happened or changes needed. Remember, be non-
judgmental, acknowledge feelings, and listen when talking with
your teen.

13. Another form of effective communication is the use of “I
statements.” It should replace the opposing “You statements”
which implies judgment and blame, saying they’re at fault for
playing video games. For example, a parent telling their
teenager, “You spend so much time playing video games,” is not
as effective as “I am interested in knowing why playing video
games are fun for you”?

14. Also, telling your teen what to do or how to feel will most likely
upset them, making them feel controlled. It’s best to be
patient, manage anxiety and exemplify good behavior by
showing them how to balance activities and express feelings. In
addition, exposing your child to different activities can be very
beneficial. Taking a trip to an art exhibit or sporting event can
help teenagers discover new interests and learn other ways to
be engaged.

15. To sum up the effects of violent video games, one person who
I think says it best is renowned comic-book author, Gerard
Jones.
He says, “When we try to protect our children from their
own feelings and fantasies, we shelter them not against
violence but against power and selfhood”.

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