Documentary on Video Games

Mural.ly Video Games

Exploratory Essay

Sean Murray

Ms. McKoy

English II- Block 2

September 4, 2013

An Addiction: Video Games

I believe playing video games affect you academically. Video games have put a major impact on my life. For sometime all I did was play, then I started doing bad in school. I was getting anywhere from 50's to 60's on tests and quizzes. That was when I realized something was wrong. I limit the amount I play now only because I have expectations to follow. If not I would play as much as I do over the summer. Now that I play only on the weekends and for only an hour or two, I've noticed my grades going back to the 80's and 90's like they once were. A personal experience I've had was once when I got in trouble at school and my mom blamed it on me playing video games so much. Video games have played a major roll because it was my life over the summer, because it was the only thing I had to do. Video games can cause academic failure and prevent you from becoming what you want. Do you believe video games affect you academically?
Although video games can be used for entertainment, it is also a distraction from succeeding in school. In the article, Computer Games Can Rot Your Brain by Brock Picton, Jayden Stewart, and Jared Nichols, their studies suggests, "playing video games too often can slow brain development; a condition called 'game brain." This is basically saying the more play

time, the more it can impact the brain in the long run. This also proves that playing video games can not only cause distractions, but also can be hurtful without being aware it's happening. Although a lot of video games are bad educational video games, Brock Picton, Jayden Stewart, and Jared Nichols, the writers of Computer Games Can Rot Your Brain, " have a positive effect on children's academic skills". Some studies have also showed, explain, " violent video games have been found to decrease kind behaviors". (Brock Picton, Jayden Stewart, and Jared Nichols, page 62) While you think video games have no impact simply because it's just a game, it can shape the mind into something similar to the character in the game. Video games are like cigarettes, your hurting yourself and you don’t even realize it how bad it really is. It is also very addictive and you lose yourself doing it.
Video games regardless of the kind, have a negative impact on the person playing them. I believe the amount of time playing video games should have a limit. Limiting yourself can not only keep you from turning you to a mean person, but it can also help in school. Although some might disagree saying video games no matter how much play, it has no affect on the mind, there is no evidence to support that. Also there is no evidence stating when video games have had a positive effect on the brain and the actual person.

Letter to the editor

Early College High School
2050 Hwy. 501 E.
Conway, SC 29526
September 18, 2013


Editor and Chief
The Sun News,
P.O Box 406
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578


Dear Editor and Chief,

My name is Sean Murray, I am a Sophomore at Early College High School in Conway, SC

I am writing to address the topic of how video games reflect on teens negatively. Video games can change player's attitudes by the games they play, which are usually violent. People can begin to be more aggressive. Parents can prevent their teens from turning into this by limiting play time and monitoring the games played .

I believe video games can cause a negative behavior from experience. When playing violent games, I was throwing things, yelling, and being disrespectful to others. My mom spoke to me about it and I realized I was not only hurting myself, but those around me, like smoking cigarettes. If video games aren't limited now, generations now and future ones will be destroyed. Parents limiting their kids play time can put a more happy and peaceful thought in the mind, rather than killing.
Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your help and hope to hear from you soon

Sincerely,
Sean Murray

Narrative Poem

Sean Murray
English II- Block 2
Ms. McKoy
Oct. 9, 2013

The Son, The Mom, The Mentor

SON
I sit in my bed, playing a game
My mom looks at me with shame
I have nothing to do but play
its all I do from day to day

MOTHER
He looks so sad always doing the same thing
I thinks it's time to give the mentor a ring
I think he's depressed
Oh! this causes me too much stress

MENTOR
It seems to be the same problem each time
He never listens, he just seems to whine
I don't think I can help this boy improve
He is as stubborn as rock, he just doesn’t seem to move

I don't believe I understand the problem this time
Please tell me what is on your mind?
Say all you want we have plenty of time
SON
I cant help I have this addiction!
But you aren't there to get me out
I can feel the confliction
From the way you look at me with doubt
MOTHER
I'm sorry son that wasn't my aim
I never meant to cause you such pain
It just seems all you care about are those games
It has put our relationship in strain

SON
Mom your right I'm the sorry one
I didn't know it was causing so much pain
I'm the only one to blame
I can finally say I'm done!

MENTOR
I never thought this could cause so much emotion
Snifff the mothers face is filled with tears
I guess I gave this topic the wrong notion
Things have gotten better over the year
I guess these two can finally get over their video game fears