Earliest form of computer games is text-based and played by typing commands on the keyboard. During the 1980’s, personal computers became so powerful so that earlier performance and capabilities constraints were lifted,  and graphics becoming an important component and factor in games.

Alongside the advancement in technology and widespread use of computers in the world today, Computer Games surge to great popularity and widespread consumption by people of all ages most notably the young. Computer games offer almost real-life videos, images, graphics, and sounds, cutting edge technologies, extraordinary storyline and concept, and overall fantastic experience.

With this development, some concerns were raised on the effects of these computer games on the avid gamers. Computer games were blamed for many untoward incidents, activities, moral and health issues, behavioral changes and influence on the youth. Many studies were conducted to prove the negative effects of computer games while other studies were also conducted in defense and to prove its benefits. This prompt many to ask – Are computer games beneficial or dangerous to the consumers of this product and the society as a whole?

Many studies worldwide were conducted to establish and proved the negative effects of Computer Games. Many of these studies in the field of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Psychology, and Behavior pointed out many problems arising from or influence by Computer games. Here are some of the problems identified by these studies.

• Increase in symptoms of emotional disorder – depression, isolation, obesity, and the likes.
• Increase in symptoms of behavioral disorder – aggressiveness.
• Decrease in verbal recollection performance.
• Somatic complaints.
• Attention problems like ADD, ADHD, and hyperactivity.
• Detrimental school performance for increase game usage.
• Less positive family interaction and relations.
• Significant reduced quantity of (REM) slow-wave sleep.
• Visual selective attention modifications.
• Physically violent behavior.
• Bad influence and effects on gamers by violent computer games.
• Moral deterioration promoted by the idea of “Rewards on violent behavior” in computer games.
• Increase risk of obesity, postural, skeletal and muscular disorders.
• Detrimental to the development of the social skills and social sensitivity.

On the other hand, several studies and researches were conducted to determine and proved the benefits of computer games. Computer games – according to these studies are the essential type of entertainment that can develop the minds of the players. Aside from the cool graphics, fantastic sounds, and intriguing plots, computer games are very educational. Here are some benefits of computer games.

• Help improves strategic planning – a trait needed in real life, planning ahead.
• Help enhanced problem solving skills tremendously, as computer games subject the players to a variety of problems and challenges in the game.
• Help improves Hand-Eye coordination, as most gaming requires quick reaction time and faster hand movements.
• Help encouraged speedy and correct Decision-Making, as some games utilize the element of shock and time limits.
• Help enhanced and provokes the imagination, as game plots are very intriguing and complex.
• Encourage Adventurism and Bravery, as games offer a sense of control to the players to decide from a variety of choices and consequences.
• It improves memorization and concentration.
• Computer games promote Endurance, Patience, and Dedication.
• Games are used as a distraction for patients under painful treatments.
• Games relieve stress.
• Games are effective in physiotherapy.
• Games encourage team play and cooperation.
• Games are used for treating phobia through specialized game simulations.
• Games help treating language disabilities in children.
• Tremendous source of brain stimulus and exercises.

It is very difficult to decide which side outweighs the other. The most important thing is to identify its effect on the individual level, and to indulge in computer games in a controlled and moderated manner. In case of children, it is highly recommended for parents to oversee their children’s gaming routine and choice of computer games.

In today’s generation, online games are the reel deal. Say goodbye to the old traditional games and say hello to the whole new world of online gaming. Some of the online games present in the internet are Farm Town, Crazy Kart, and many others. The group of people whom is pretty much involved in this drastic transition is the youth. In this connection, a new wave of addiction has emerged. Addiction to online games is now a great and alarming issue not only in every home in the neighborhood but also in the whole society around the world. According to research, teenagers who are addicted to online games are associated with obesity and lack of physical exercise resulting to poorer health outcomes. This is evident in the United States wherein the number of obese teenagers is growing significantly. The factor of online game addiction is considered to be one of the reasons for the uprising of the number of teenagers becoming obese. So, is addiction to online games really detrimental to the health of the youth? Does addiction to online games already denote a negative notion to the public? Then why is the youth embracing this new wave of change? Will the old traditional games be forever forgotten? Will this signal a new era of gaming for the next generations to come? And finally, will you allow your younger siblings, your sons or perhaps daughters to become one of the addicts of online gaming? These are just a few questions that probably need to be answered by everyone living in the society. Others might take this issue lightly but let us be reminded that the welfare of the teenagers is at stake, along with that is their future. So much with the negative aspects of online game addiction, let us now talk about the other side of the coin. There’s also a positive effect with regards to this matter and that is increasing computer literacy. The more you use the computer, the more skillful you are at using it. We now for a fact, that computer literacy is a demand, especially in getting a job nowadays and with this, it is a must to learn how to use the computer. With online computer game addicts, it’s not that much of a problem to them, since they are very much exposed if not overexposed to computers every single day. Using the computer is so much easier for these types of people than for persons who is a computer illiterate or who are not well oriented about the basic programs and functions of the computer.

So to come up with a conclusion, there are negative effects as well as positive effects with regards to addiction to online games. Therefore, it’s not a one-sided issue. It is up to the individual, whether he or she will be standing on the side of the positivist or the negativist. It’s a matter of choice. However, one thing is for sure, every side has its own message. Each has its own story to tell but nevertheless, both have significant points of view. Now the question is, which side of the issue will you be in? Will it be in the negative or the positive? You will be the judge.