Dear Ms Quah, please assess me based on this issue and not the one on Mas Selamat. Thank you!
As Science and technology improve by the day, it is inevitable that most teenagers nowadays spend time in front of the computer for various purposes. They surf the internet to search for information and complete their assignments. Unfortunately, they also play games on-line and this is the downside of computer usage.
Recently, there is an increase in the number of reported teenage computer addiction in Singapore and this trend will continue as many highly addictive and fun games emerge daily. Many of those who play computer games excessively have falling grades and worse, they tend to isolate themselves from the 'outside world'. They are also restless and even angry when not allowed to use the computer or when not in front of the computer screen.
From a teenager's perspective, I feel that totally restricting the use of the computer is not possible, as teenagers, like everybody else, wants to have some freedom. However, it is of high importance that parents, together with the assistance of teachers, monitor closely to the teenagers when they are using the computer.
This problem is not only affecting Singapore, but it also pertains to numerous other countries worldwide. In some countries like the United States, majority of the teenagers are sedentary in front of the computer screen most of the time. To make matters worse, living in a country that allows the use of guns for certain purposes, these teenagers learn from their games and vent their anger by means of weapon violence. This had caused a number of fire-arm related deaths in schools there. One such incident is on April 16 last year, when a 23-year old English-major student massacred 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech University, then shot himself.
This brings me to the point of how to prevent play from turning to pain. I am slightly relieved to know that many gaming centres here have installed monitoring system to allow staff members to know what users are doing and how long they have spent using the computer, in order to spot addiction before it gets out of hand. I trust that the staff members of these gaming centres are responsible and they will help to decrease the number of computer addictions here, while still allowing teenagers to have some recreation at these centres.
A classmate of mine used to be addicted to cybergaming too. He suffered the'usual' signs: sloppy work, failing grades, unknowingly isolating himself from his friends and pays no attention in class. I was concerned, but did not know what to do to help him. In the end, I approached my teacher and talked to her about it. My classmate was brought to the school counsellor soon after. Initially, it was difficult for him, but after a couple of months, he got rid of the addiction and was grateful to me that I had not let his obsession get out of hand. I hope that teenagers who notice that their classmates or friends are in a similar situation as my classmate will alert an adult and thus quickly cure the person of addiction.
Cybergaming can be a good servant or a bad master. As long as it is managed properly, it can bring about pleasure and may also improve the attention span of teenagers and even train their mind.
I usually confine my usage of computer to the weekends and seldom play games. I prefer sports and strongly believe that it can bring about the same, or even better, more benefits than cybergaming! Exercising brings me a lot of enjoyment and I also make a number of friends who have the same hobby! Don't you agree?
Whatever hobby teenagers may have, the key to it is moderation. Parents and teachers must always keep a look-out for signs of addiction in whatever activity a teenager engage in.
References:
http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?documentId=nica_ST_2003_2624684&year=2003&month=04&date=16
http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=01&year=2007&date=17&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2007_5481088
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2 comments:
As always, the solution is moderation and individual control as you have concluded for this addiction which is both a bane and a boon.
A sound piece of writing, with evidence both global and personal. Continue your effort, to develop an individual voice, (something that will take time and experience). For now, enjoy the reading, thinking and writing.
ps - You might want to edit the piece to reduce the length still?
Please create a link to the next student, Delwyn, and check that it's correct.
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