Violent Video Games and Their Impact on Teenagers

These days, many kids are playing violent video games, and most often, against their disapproving parents. While many think that video games have negative impacts, they are only dangerous when taken past a certain extent. However, when played in consideration, video games can relieve stress, improve teamwork, creative thinking and intellectual strength. Violent video games are often thought of as harmful, but in reality, they are extremely beneficial to young adults.

Exams, homework and parental expectations can cause immense stress for teenagers. This stress could be relieved through multiple dangerous mediums such as drugs or alcohol, but a safer way to reduce this stress is by playing video games. According to an article written by Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson, a professor at Texas A&M International University, young adults who play violent video games handle stress better that non-playing adults. “The results suggest that violent video games reduce depression and hostile feelings in players,” Dr. Ferguson explains. The amount of concentration needed to play these games mean that the kids aren’t able to focus on their work, which gives them a break and some time for their minds to recharge. By giving themselves some rest, they are able to relax, removing some of their stress, which can result in teenagers being happier and stress-free.

Additionally, playing violent video games can improve a player’s ability to work in a team. In many games, the player is required to communicate with others, which provides an opportunity to learn social skills by focusing on cooperation. “Research has shown that playing violent video games in groups reduces feelings of hostility better than playing such games alone,” explains Dr. Vitelli, the author of a published article on Psychology Today. “There seems to be a strong potential value of cooperative play in developing social behaviour and curbing anti-social thoughts and behaviours,” implying that video games improve the ability to collaborate with others, a valuable life skill.

These video games are generally very competitive, and to increase chances of winning, kids are forced to think outside the box. A study by professors at Queen Mary University and UCL suggest that action video and strategic games can promote the ability to think quickly. “Our paper shows that cognitive thinking [...] can be trained and improved by fun tools like gaming” states Professor Brad Lowe. Creative problem solving and outside-the-box thinking requires cognitive flexibility, which is vastly increased by playing graphic video games. This will, no doubt, be a very valuable skill for the young players in the future.

One might argue that video games have negative impacts. A common argument is that playing video games results in physical aggression. Many have stated that there is a link between playing violent video games and violent behaviour, however, according to an article published on Forbes, there has not been any study that has shown that violent video games result directly in actual violence. And while many mass murderers have been described as being extremely addicted to video games, in the USA, as violent video games have become more popular, violent crime rates have fallen. In the article, “when it comes to video games, the loudest voices are rarely gamers [...] this creates a hollow sort of analysis,” and enforces the claim that graphic video games are not harmful.

Furthermore, playing violent video games can possibly strengthen a player intellectually, especially if they are young. A study by the American Psychological association reveals that playing video games can actually strengthen a range of cognitive skills, such as memory and perception, amongst others, which is particularly true for the players of more violent games. While most opinions are are that video games have many negative impacts, “This has critical implications for education and career development,” states Isabela Granic, a professor in developmental psychology (and a contributor to a highly regarded review in the journal American Psychologist). Other studies have also shown that the skills improved by playing violent video games, such as spatial navigation, enables achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Overall, it is shown that amongst a wide range of benefits that playing video games allows, it also improves mental health, and in the future, could even be used as a form of therapy for aggressive behaviour in adolescents.

Violent video games and the impact of playing them on kids is the subject of much controversy, with many arguing for both the positive and the negative sides of the subject. These video games have benefits for their players, but only to a certain extent. Past that point, when the player becomes obsessive, the violence and dangerous examples can be threatening to their mental health and perilous for those around them. Given all these points, however, when played with caution, violent video games provide many benefits and will improve an adolescent’s future positively.

By Kelly

Invasion of Privacy: Entertaining or Despicable?

Paparazzi are notorious for invading privacy. These days, the world is so desperate for some sort of entertainment, that magazines and celebrity gossip sites pay people to invade celebrities’ privacy and document their private lives for the world to see. The question, though, is why nothing has happened to change this. Why don’t celebrities get to have their privacy? It’s a human right, and just because they’re famous and known world wide, doesn’t mean that their privacy should be sacrificed.

Stephen Price, a lawyer from New Zealand, writes on his website about the invasion of privacy of celebrities. He states, “Public figures have lower expectations of privacy, especially if they are exercising public power.” Because of this, the public figures’ families and known associates also need to lower their expectations, “But this cannot be taken too far.” Price explains how stating a celebrity as a ‘role model’ does not mean that their confidentiality should be compromised, unless they have done something truly serious or deceptive.

Elizabeth Knight-Hassell, an 8th grade student, says, “People are so needy for gossip and knowing about other people’s lives and it’s not right, because on the other side, what do the other people feel?” Her opinion on this matter indicates that while it can be entertaining to see celebrities living their lives, invading their privacy is taking it too far. 

People look to magazines to entertain themselves, because why else would they enjoy looking at pictures of bewildered celebrities, trying to hide themselves from the cameras which would document whatever embarrassing deed they were doing? This is a sick form of entertainment, as you are basically amusing yourself by laughing at someone else’s mess.

Kate Middleton, wife to Prince William, Duchess of Cambridge, was a victim of the invading cameras while sunbathing topless in a family holiday home in France. She was on private property when the picture was taken, from the nearby highway with a long lens camera. The Royal couple were forced to take legal action against the French magazine which had the photos.

By not supporting gossip/rumour sites, you can send out a message to all the paparazzi: stop. When you see an image plastered on the front of multiple magazines and tabloids, put yourself in the subject’s place - what if that was you, your name in the headlines, caught in an embarrassing moment, shielding your face from the world? Encourage others to not purchase magazines that display images of celebrities trying to hide themselves, because that means that the picture was taken without the person’s consent, and by buying it, you would be telling the paparazzi to continue. So, in an effort to end this, say no to the websites and tabloids publishing embarrassing photos, and find another way to entertain yourself, instead of looking at humiliating pictures of other people.

By Kelly

Conquering Awkward Family Dinners

The awkward weekly dinner begins. You reach for the salad fork at the same time as your mother. You both smile, and you cast your eyes downward, feeling the uncomfortable silence hanging between you. Your phone chimes a short melody, and your hands itch to answer it and relieve yourself of boredom, despite your mum’s no phone at the table rule. Your dad starts talking about the football game on Saturday and what the teams’ tactics will be this time. Soon enough, his chatter dies down to his mutters, then tense, unpleasant quietness is back between you again, and you just can’t wait to lock up your bedroom and skype your friends, complaining about how annoying your parents are.

But it shouldn’t be a pain. They’re people too, with lives that they lead, filled with problems, difficulties and accomplishments. Families are made of people, each has their own story, and with some work and some love, their stories can be part of yours too.

Families are the biggest factor of someone’s life. Your family will stick with you for your entire life - so instead of pushing yourself away from them, be grateful, and embrace the love they give you. Often, teenagers are moody and touchy, but that shouldn’t drive them away from their families. But because of this, many parents think that letting their children do their own thing would be better, but ultimately, everyone benefits from some family time.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, teens who spend less time with their families are much likelier to use drugs, alcohol and/or tobacco. And while typically, while teens are thought to be the ones who push away their parents, sometimes, parents don’t give their children enough attention, and in turn, their kids turn to other sources for affection, which in the end, could result in them to abusing substances.

No one thinks about this, especially during the dreaded teenage phase, but your family will be there with you forever, and when you’ve graduated and are off living your own separate life, you’re going to wish that you all were closer. And by the time your parents pass away, you’ll want nothing more than the chance to go back in time to your moody teenage days, and put more effort into your relationship with your family.

From a young age, students at UWC are exposed to technology, and soon enough, they become obsessed with their laptops. As they grow older, students depend more and more on their laptops, and by the time they enter high school, they spend most of their weekends shut in their rooms, cut off from their families by their closed doors and raised screens. And because of this, their families drift apart, only held together by the fact that they live in the same house.

Akanksha Shukla, age 13, says that the relationship she shares with her family is very strong, mainly because she has regular meals with them, and also because she shares her daily struggles and successes, which helps build trust with them. Although she does spend time alone with her laptop, she enjoys family time and voluntarily participates. In return, her family cares for and loves her, and supports and encourages her when she needs it.

Family could be seen as a colony ants. A single ant, all alone, can’t bear much weight, and is easily crushed by the others around them. But, an army of ants, working together, can achieve great things, and can protect each other from any harm. A tight knit ant colony should inspire you to build stronger bonds with your family, because they will support and protect you for as long as you live.

Family is a really important aspect of life for me. I didn’t realise this earlier, but a lot of the people in 8th grade don’t spend much time with their families. I find this really strange because my whole weekend is spent with my family, and I find myself missing them when I spend the weekend with my friends.

You don’t have to spend all your time with your family. Having some time to be alone or with your friends will also benefit yourself. You just need to find the perfect balance between the two.

Written by Kelly

Support in Sports

Music could be heard loudly playing from the new Singapore OCBC Swimming Arena, where the Swim Starts competition was taking place, last Friday night. Everyone was exhilarated as the UWC East swim team took their seats in a group on the east side. The audience buzzed with anticipation, eager for the action to start.

World champions, Olympians, World Record holders - they were all lined up, ready for their races. Kicked off with the men’s 100 freestyle event, the night was off to an exciting start. With the promising amount of $10,000 cash prize for 1st place, maximum effort was put into their performances, keeping the crowd cheering on their feet. Whoops and shouts were heard from the audience, the cameras occasionally flicking over to film groups, playing it on the large screens.

A group of swimmers from UWC East crowded the empty platform about the swimmers’ exit. Waving their hands and leaning over the railing, they were able to get high-5s and autographs. Completely in awe by the sport celebrities in front of them, they cheered and shouted, unable to properly process their surroundings.

The night came to an end as all the participating swimmers slowly walked around the pool, back to their exits, waving and smiling at the crowds of screaming fans. With the music and cheers fading, the night neared it’s end.

As the audience dispersed and left the arena sticky and sweaty, like most of the other viewers who also got autographs and handshakes, this reporter was unable to stop smiling or squealing for the rest of the night.

However, as great as the night had seemed to all the aspiring swimmers, some of the spectators were not impressed. According to a parent of one of the UWC swimmers, the event was way overpriced and a waste of effort for themselves. Because of the lack of time - the event only lasted one night - there were not as many races as was expected, leaving a few viewers unsatisfied.

Some parents and friends are not as supportive, their attitudes can either rub off on their children, or make them even more determined to defy them. With lack of support, swimmers may find it harder improve, but some swimmers are able to motivate themselves off anger and bitterness, to prove a point to their parents and friends.

Sportsmen can burn out after a few grueling years, or continue and advance to becoming world famous. Support is an important part of any sport, and without it, swimmers are likely to quit after the pressure becomes too much. Families and friends should support any sports that their children do, and cheer them on, because without support, no one would be able to succeed in life.


Written by Kelly