Child's Play - when Video Games Take Over

Gaming is everywhere these days. Playstation, XBOX, Nintendo: all names we know and love...but why? Video games take us into a 2D or, more commonly now, 3D world where we can live out our fantasies. We can climb the tallest mountain, battle great warriors, shred on a toy guitar, and dance dance our way to victory, and all in the comfort of our living rooms. Even better yet, we can escape our daily routines and become transfixed in a realm of imagination.

Children are a big market for the gaming industry. I mean, you don't see too many full-grown adults playing Mario or Halo 2. Children also happen to be naturally better at video games than adults; so it would make sense they enjoy playing them. But when, and is there even such a thing, as too much gaming?

Now we all know that kids are good at playing these games, but what else do they offer that sucks them in and leads to obsession? One of the greatest things about children, in my opinion, are their imaginations. In video games, things we imagine, create, and dream of come to life. For a child, it may be all too simple to confuse these games with real life. No, I'm not saying kids actually think these characters in games exist; I am just stating that it might be possible for them to sort of think in this way. I mean, what's the oldest story in the world? Monsters in kids closets and under their beds when they go to sleep...well, they don't make them up from lack of an imagination.

Gaming for young children can be a nice tool for parents. It's a good babysitter for some, I'm sure. Harsh? Yeah, but you know it's true. I'm not saying parents leave a 7 year old kid at home all day playing video games while they're off at work, but, you know, parents need breaks throughout the day like anyone else. Getting your child to play Teen Titans, for example, on the PS2 for a couple of hours while you can get housework, homework, or anything else done you need to can be quite helpful; but how helpful is it to these kids?