Fine Gael Senator for Galway Fidelma Healy Eames has called for a rational debate on the impact of the overuse of games consoles. The Oranmore senator came under fire last month for her proposal that gaming giants should insert a chip to limit playing time. However she feels there is need for a debate on the matter.
“It is increasingly clear to me that excessive use of gaming consoles such as the Xbox and Playstation is having an adverse effect on the health and social development of young people. At a crucial stage of their development, many young people are spending significant tracts of time gaming; time which could be spent on other things like exercise, their studies and spending time with family and friends.
“I call on the Government to strongly consider incorporating information about the harmful effects of excessive gaming into the syllabus for SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education ) which is part of the curriculum at primary and second level. We have a responsibility to inform young people about the harmful impact of overuse of these games.
“There are serious concerns about the impact of excessive gaming on young people’s heath. Consultant paediatrician with the Children’s University Hospital on Temple Street, Professor Alf Nicholson, says that the hospital sees cases of children suffering from repetitive-stress injury as a result of excessive usage of games consoles. He also cites the greater problem of obesity which can result from the sedentary nature of these games. Professor Nicholson also says the aggressive nature of some video games, which require the simulated killing of other people in order to progress through levels, can leave children agitated and stressed.
“We cannot ignore the impact that constant, repetitive exposure to this type of pursuit is having on our youngsters. Moreover it is clear to me that this gaming can be highly addictive. Numerous addiction centres have been established in Europe to examine and treat the impact of overuse of games consoles by young people. Many console users isolate themselves from their families and normal social circles while their main ‘social’ interaction is with other gamers online.
“Parents have spoken to me about serious behavioural changes in their children. One mother I spoke to complained of her child becoming ‘defiant, aggressive and removed from family life’. I know that parents find this a difficult area to manage and many feel a reluctance to intervene for fear of alienating their child.
“A coroner’s report of a 20-year-old UK citizen found that the young man died from Deep Vein Thrombosis as a result of excessive use of the Xbox. While the death of this young man is clearly an extreme case, it does provide a trigger point for debate about the usage and impact of gaming.”
