Are computer games damaging to your social skills?

[stan1980]

I was chatting to a close friend on the phone the other day, and I mentioned something about a computer game I used to play when I was a kid. He immediately said he never really played computer games, preferring to be outside playing. My first thoughts were, that explains why he has a personality. This guy has, I would consider, outstanding people skills; a social animal if you like. He's very popular with just about everyone.

Okay, this is only one person, and I haven't got round to quizzing all my friends on their computer game habits, but do you think there is any truth that games might negatively affect your social skills? Incidentally, I would say I only played computer games moderately, like round school friend's places, I didn't have a computer round my mums place, so god knows where I went wrong!

So do you think computer games are bad for you? I find it hard to imagine how they could be good for you if being honest. Except maybe educational games, but no one plays them, do they?

 

[Eudaimonist]

I was chatting to a close friend on the phone the other day, and I mentioned something about a computer game I used to play when I was a kid. He immediately said he never really played computer games, preferring to be outside playing. My first thoughts were, that explains why he has a personality. This guy has, I would consider, outstanding people skills; a social animal if you like. He's very popular with just about everyone.

That's highly anecdotal evidence. It does nothing to establish causation. He may be outgoing by temperament, and that may contribute to his success in social situations.

So do you think computer games are bad for you?

Not unless playing computer games is all one ever does. Anything dwelt in to that degree will be bad for you -- even socializing. In moderation, I can't see how they would be bad.

I find it hard to imagine how they could be good for you if being honest.

I imagine they improve motor skills and improve problem-solving skills (yes, even for "non-educational" games).


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[stan1980]

That's highly anecdotal evidence. It does nothing to establish causation. He may be outgoing by temperament, and that may contribute to his success in social situations.

I know, which is why I did make a point of saying this is only one person. Yes, he could have good social skills for any number of reasons, but it was the first thing that popped into my head.

Not unless playing computer games is all one ever does. Anything dwelt in to that degree will be bad for you -- even socializing. In moderation, I can't see how they would be bad.

They are quite addictive though, I didn't have a computer most the time when I was young, so I didn't really get a chance to get addicted, but a lot of kids my age used to spend a shocking amount of hours playing on them (I was quite jealous )

I imagine they improve motor skills and improve problem-solving skills (yes, even for "non-educational" games).

Possibly, although I'm struggling to think of many real life situations they might help you out in.

 

[selfinflikted]

I'm a complete, 100% WoW addict. (Crushridge - Horde, if anyone cares ) and I have great people skills. I've never had a problem with either arena.

 

[stan1980]

I'm a complete, 100% WoW addict. (Crushridge - Horde, if anyone cares )

Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!!

and I have great people skills. I've never had a problem with either arena.

Were you a games addict as a kid though?

 

[selfinflikted]

Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!!

I is, what I is. =\

Were you a games addict as a kid though?

Yes. Console games, but yes. That isn't to say I wasn't participating in normal things other kids do - little league baseball, tae kwon do, gymnastics, etc etc. But when the sun went down and the street lights came on and it was time to go inside - Nintendo all the way, baby!

 

[Eudaimonist]

They are quite addictive though, I didn't have a computer most the time when I was young, so I didn't really get a chance to get addicted, but a lot of kids my age used to spend a shocking amount of hours playing on them (I was quite jealous )

Anything can be addictive, including socializing.

Possibly, although I'm struggling to think of many real life situations they might help you out in.

Fighter pilot comes to mind. Or maybe video games will encourage a career in computer programming, and maybe even programming video games.

But why do they have to just be a means to an end? Games are fun, that that is worth something in itself. Fun is a need in life.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[lawtonfogle]

I was chatting to a close friend on the phone the other day, and I mentioned something about a computer game I used to play when I was a kid. He immediately said he never really played computer games, preferring to be outside playing. My first thoughts were, that explains why he has a personality. This guy has, I would consider, outstanding people skills; a social animal if you like. He's very popular with just about everyone.

Okay, this is only one person, and I haven't got round to quizzing all my friends on their computer game habits, but do you think there is any truth that games might negatively affect your social skills? Incidentally, I would say I only played computer games moderately, like round school friend's places, I didn't have a computer round my mums place, so god knows where I went wrong!

So do you think computer games are bad for you? I find it hard to imagine how they could be good for you if being honest. Except maybe educational games, but no one plays them, do they?

Are you could be looking at it backwards, and the truth of it is those without the best social skills took up computers, with a correlation of worse skills = more computer. I myself lived out in the middle of nowhere and I still am not sure how close the nearest kid around my age was. So until my brothers were born (and grew up enough), I was left to play by myself, and as such I picked up computers. Computers weren't the cause, they were part of the outcome, at least in my case.

 

[lawtonfogle]

I'm a complete, 100% WoW addict. (Crushridge - Horde, if anyone cares ) and I have great people skills. I've never had a problem with either arena.

Gurubashi, horde. But I'm actually not addicted. My highest level character is still 49 (and that isn't because I am trying to play in the 40-49 arena). I actually stopped playing for 3 months straight because of school.

 

[lawtonfogle]

I know, which is why I did make a point of saying this is only one person. Yes, he could have good social skills for any number of reasons, but it was the first thing that popped into my head.



They are quite addictive though, I didn't have a computer most the time when I was young, so I didn't really get a chance to get addicted, but a lot of kids my age used to spend a shocking amount of hours playing on them (I was quite jealous )




Possibly, although I'm struggling to think of many real life situations they might help you out in.

Reaction time increase.
Ability to create strategies, faster.
Offers views of the world unachievable before.
Social interaction (yes, I said it... video games have there own portion of society, why should it be counted lower than that of jocks or party animals?
A few already mentioned.

Granted, these don't happen in every game, but that is why you wait for the good games.

 

[brinny]

me thinks computer games are a blessing, a much needed outlet.....i don't think they effect social skills.....

a'course if someone is gettin' all droopy-eyed and isolating from the outside world it might be time for some intervention

 

[clarksided]

Undeniably, many computer game fans have woeful social skills.

However, this is a "chicken or the egg" argument, and I'm tempted to believe that woeful social skills lead one to look for other things to enjoy.

 

[selfinflikted]

Gurubashi, horde. But I'm actually not addicted. My highest level character is still 49 (and that isn't because I am trying to play in the 40-49 arena). I actually stopped playing for 3 months straight because of school.

/sigh

I have four 70's and tons of alts. I still manage to "have a life" though. My use of the term "addict" was very loose, of course

 

[PsychMJC]

Lightninghoof- Alliance.
There are plenty of times I would much rather just stay in and play a few BGs, but there are equally as many times I would rather go be social.
And to be honest, if you play an mmorpg you kinda ARE being social heh..

 

[lawtonfogle]

Lightninghoof- Alliance.
There are plenty of times I would much rather just stay in and play a few BGs, but there are equally as many times I would rather go be social.
And to be honest, if you play an mmorpg you kinda ARE being social heh..

I'll show you social...

Come on selfinflikted, let go and kill the ally. Do you want a BoM, BoW, or a BoS (sorry, no BoK).

Anyways, what is really interesting is 'games' like second life, which is at heart only social interaction.

 

[selfinflikted]

I'll show you social...

Come on selfinflikted, let go and kill the ally. Do you want a BoM, BoW, or a BoS (sorry, no BoK).

Anyways, what is really interesting is 'games' like second life, which is at heart only social interaction.

BoW please. (My main's a mage atm)


/target psychMJC
/cast presence of mind
/cast pyroblast

 

[PsychMJC]

I am a weak hunter with a nonexistant guild and no CC skills... I bow graciously and shadowmeld away in the face of Horde

 

[lawtonfogle]

I am a weak hunter with a nonexistant guild and no CC skills... I bow graciously and shadowmeld away in the face of Horde

In hind sight... I actually had a straight face when I claimed I was not addicted to WoW.

 

[PetersKeys]

I was chatting to a close friend on the phone the other day, and I mentioned something about a computer game I used to play when I was a kid. He immediately said he never really played computer games, preferring to be outside playing. My first thoughts were, that explains why he has a personality. This guy has, I would consider, outstanding people skills; a social animal if you like. He's very popular with just about everyone.

Okay, this is only one person, and I haven't got round to quizzing all my friends on their computer game habits, but do you think there is any truth that games might negatively affect your social skills? Incidentally, I would say I only played computer games moderately, like round school friend's places, I didn't have a computer round my mums place, so god knows where I went wrong!

So do you think computer games are bad for you? I find it hard to imagine how they could be good for you if being honest. Except maybe educational games, but no one plays them, do they?

As much as I dont want to admit it, it is probably true.

Espesially games like World of Warcraft and Morrowind, where the world just draws you in. While I try to keep the playing down, there are days where I get too into it and all of a sudden its 3am in the morning. I tend to go for games that are long and where there are tons of things to explore and that creates a sense of awe. Linear games aren't as bad because once your done with the game its all done and over, but the non-linear ones like Fallout 2, WOW and Morrowind are much more addictive in my mind because even if u beat it theres still alot more to explore

 

[Athene]

If I let my children play on the computer non-stop and didn't make them go outside and play then I'm sure it would have an effect on their development of social skills, but saying that I'm more inclined to believe that people with poorer social skills gravitate towards the computer because it's an activity that does not require face to face interaction with others.