We have decided to do our project on video games and the effects on children; more importantly, what parents can do to educate their children on realism vs. fantasy. The idea behind this topic is to help other parents become aware of what video games can do to their children. A 13-year boy jumped from a building because he thought he would come back to life the way you can in World of Warcraft.  As a result, the boy died and the parents tried to sue the company, Blizzard Entertainment for this (the company responsible for World of Warcraft). Many of us would agree that it is the parent’s responsibility to educate their children and ensure that their child realizes the difference between reality and fantasy, and the dangers in reenacting what they see in games.

According to many studies and reports, realism in the video is improving; each new game on the market has more sophisticated graphics and sound effects. Video games are one of the most preferred activities for children, but the sad thing about it is that 80% of the video games contain violence and this only increases the risk factor for aggressive behavior and desensitizes them to violence. Similarly to the statistics of television watching, video game habits relates to poorer health and academic performance.

What can parents do to educate their children on realism vs. fantasy? Many parents don’t worry about their children playing violent video games, but maybe if they had a good resource for information to educate them, they will be better equipped to prepare and prevent their children from becoming a statistic.