With the development of technical progress, which led to the emergence of all sorts of computer technologies, mankind has acquired not only advantages but also significant disadvantages that mainly affect the development of children. Among the benefits of mobile gaming, the most important one is that according to the recent sociological investigations, children, who spend time playing educational computer or mobile games are more developed intellectually than their peers. On the other hand, the damage they cause is much more noticeable and significant. Children involved in mobile gaming have no interest in communication with their friends. Besides, very often they have only virtual friends as modern children have no desire to spend time on the playground or in the yard. The most interesting pastime for them is to play a computer game or just hold meaningless conversations in social networks. Children are deprived of real communication and fresh-air walks. It undermines their health to a great extent. The relevance of this issue is evident; thus it demands a profound analysis to find the most appropriate ways for its solution.
Nowadays, children are not interested in outdoor activities, mobile gaming penetrated to their everyday life to such an extent that outdoor games are perceived by them as something outdated and boring. The lack of fresh air and lively activity makes children weaker and less energetic. They are used to lead a passive life and do nothing, except playing mobile games. Due to the mobile gaming addiction, children are subjected to a multitude of severe diseases. However, the lack of social activity may also cause serious psychological problems. Children have no communicational skills. It may be the reason for problems in the conversation with peers. The significant problem is that children may become the victims of bullying and cyber bullying spending much time playing mobile games.
The advantages of outdoor games are numerous. First of all, outdoor activity influences not only our physical state but affects our emotional state. A good mood is a key to good health. In addition, breathing fresh air, children can replenish their organism with negative ions, which are so lacking in enclosed spaces, equipped with a host of appliances that leads to physical weakness, chronic fatigue syndrome, lower body resistance. The movement, which is very useful for the body, energizes it, gives it strength. As a result, children become fitter with the stronger immune system, therefore, less subjected to diseases. Fresh air saturates cells with the necessary oxygen, which cannot be obtained in the room. Moreover, children deprived of outdoor activity have the risk of becoming myopic. The investigators analysed the lifestyle and quality of eyesight of 10 thousand children and adolescents and found that children suffering from myopia walked for three or seven hours less than children with normal vision. They proved that every extra hour of walking per week reduces the risk of myopia for two per cent (Wu et al. 1083). An active play has a significant therapeutic effect and may even contribute to the process of healing. Walking causes the natural factors that positively affect children’s vision, such as sunlight and the opportunity to examine distant objects. Physical activity minimizes the risk of obesity and diabetes. In addition, engaging in the outdoor activity the child has more possibilities for creative development and self-expression. Games help children to adapt easier to future adult life since these games have some rules specific to real life. Children involved in active games receive new experience and impressions that cannot be even compared with the emotions of mobile gaming. Also, children learn the ethics of communication with other people, adapting to their cultural, social, and spiritual peculiarities. Active children are often interesting for their peers; thus it is one of the best opportunities to find new friends. It is difficult to make real friends with children addicted to mobile gaming. Adolescents have more opportunities to satisfy their cognitive necessities due to the outdoor activities. They can learn more about nature of things and personalities (Godbey 8). It is not bad preparation for future adult life society. Sometimes, communication with others may cause a conflict situation. This experience may help children to avoid intensive situations and to learn the best ways for their solutions in future. Playing outdoors, a child has the possibility to model his or her future reactions and emotions related to various aspects of everyday life. They should have a full-fledged childhood with positive memories and real feelings. Parents should inculcate play in their children from the earliest years (Frost 6). The play is natural; it is peculiar to animals and human beings (Godbey 12). Thus, children should not be deprived of this essential need. The lack of communication and outdoor activity may be the reason for the development of numerous psychological frustrations that may be followed by more serious mental disorders. Children addicted to mobile games are characterized by aggressive behaviour and spontaneous outbursts of rage. All these problems are caused by the impossibility of self-expression and self-fulfilment. They have no opportunity for involuntary emotions and reactions as they have no people to share their state with them. They are lonely and depressed. In comparison to them, socially active children have a variety of chances to demonstrate their abilities and facilities in games. Adolescents tend to be highly evaluated and appreciated by their peers; they do their best to gain some authority among their peers. All these aspects positively influence the development of their competitive and communicational skills. Wounds and injuries, which may be caused playing outdoor games, are one more advantage of fresh-air activities (Frost 8). Very often, parents are afraid that their children may be injured playing active games. However, this experience is also very useful for children and their future life. Children should beware that life is full of difficulties and challenges, and they are to solve them independently.
However, some advantages may be also found in mobile gaming since some mobile games are promoting outdoor activities to children. For example, some arcades may demonstrate to a child how exciting outdoor activities can be or seeing the characters of mobile games, children may an image of how look people engaged in the sports. They may provoke the interest of the child to communication with other children and changing the lifestyle (Arteaga et al. 8). Thus, mobile games may cause a positive influence on the child and motivate him or her to look better, be healthier, and more active (Ghose par. 1). Nowadays, our society is subjected to the influence of various electronic products and apps but people should not forget about their essential natural needs and necessities, which may be realized only due to active position in real life. Children are not able to overcome their problems independently; thus parents are to protect their children from psychological and physical issues (Ghose par 3).
Works Cited
Arteaga, Sonia, Mo Kudeki, Adrienne Woodworth, and Sri Kurniawan. “Mobile System to Motivate Teenagersʼ Physical Activity.” 9th International Conference on Interaction Design And Children (IDC). June 9–12. Barcelona, Spain: 2010. 1-11. Print.
Frost, Joe L. The Dissolution of Children’s Outdoor Play: Causes and Consequences, 2006. Web.
Ghose, Tia. Mobile Gaming: How much is too much for Kids? 2013. Web.
Godbey, Geoffrey. Outdoor Recreation, Health, and Wellness. Understanding and Enhancing the Relationship, 2009. Web.
Wu, Pei-Chang, Chia-Ling Tsai, Hsiang-Lin Wu, Yi-Hsin Yang and Hsi-Kung Kuo. “Outdoor Activity during Class Recess Reduces Myopia Onset and Progression In School Children.” Ophthalmology. 120.5 (2013): 1080-1085. Web.