Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start!

Back in the day when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore, but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again. There are times I do wish I was a kid again. Why? Have you seen what these kids are playing lately? The entire video game industry is far beyond what it was when I was growing up.

For example, click here for an example of what I grew up with.

Click here for an example of what the kids today have.

Like I said, the kids these days have much better video gaming systems and games than I did when I was growing up. But at what cost?

There are times when I see children today mimic what they see or do in a video game. Using Social Learning Theory as the basis for my argument, I will contend that the majority of adolescences in todays society act out what they see in, or play in video games...to an extent.

I'm not advocating that today's generation does everything they have seen in a video game that pertains to violent behavior. Research doesn't suggest that. I will say, from my own personal observations, that today's generation is more apt to pick up the language used, notions made, and yes, even the mentality of their parents who are now playing the "cooler" video games that my generation didn't have.

Personally, I find video games calming after a stimulating, crazy day at work. I will even go so far as to say that there is a certain peace made when one hops into a multi-player game to escape for a few hours from the daily grind.

However, this needs to be done in moderation. Anything done with excessiveness can be borderline bad for the individual that is participating in said excessiveness. Too much of a good thing can be bad.

I'm excited to see what new technology will lead to the advancements in the video game industry. I'm excited to have the chance one day to lose to my children in the video game of their choice, like my Dad did with my brother and I (Super Mario was not his friend that day). Hopefully I will be able to find a balance for them so that they're not trapped inside all day playing video games, but outside playing the air guitar like most children should be.

Trip, Out