Let's face it, it is nearly impossible to accomplish anything these days without using some sort of technology. Whether we want to admit it or not, a majority of us are actually addicted to some of the various forms. For example, I went on a three-day vacation a couple weeks ago and thought I would die when I realized there was not WiFi access! Through the years, the world has been rocked by the growth and development of video games. Depending on your age, some of us grew up in a time where electronics were either not nearly as easy to come by or perhaps even almost unheard-of. Nowadays it is nearly impossible to find a child who isn't almost always on some sort of gaming device, whether it is an Xbox, Playstation, computer, or even gaming applications on their mobile or tablet device. While I myself cannot speak too ill of these things because I am also guilty of gaming, we have to sit back and think if having our youth so addicted to these things is actually a problem. What kind of effects is this worldwide addiction causing?

Let's step back and look at the most important aspect. Health. Staring at a screen for long amounts of time causes eyestrain, which can result in headaches or perhaps even vision problems. Starting this at such a young age could possibly lead to these problems just increasing as the child grows. Frequent use of video games can also aid in unhealthy eating habits and infrequent trips to the bathroom. Studies have linked children sitting and watching television or playing video games to eating a lot of junk food, perhaps due to the fact that using one hand to grab a handful of chips and the other to mash buttons is just so convenient. Consumed in a game can also mean putting off a potty break, which can result in bladder infections or urinary tract infections. Of course he cannot forget the obvious problem sitting on your butt all day and eating chips can cause...obesity. Need I bring up the childhood obesity statistics that I'm sure you have heard a million times again?

Now that we have gotten all of the obvious and physical downfalls out the way, let's get into somethings that you would not see face to face with a child. That's right, psychological. According to Dr. Cindy Gellner of the University of Utah, "there is growing research on the effects of video games on children. Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become immune or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence." So while some people argue "that is so far-fetched to say someone may play 'Grand Theft Auto', and then go steal someone's car!" that is not always the case, my friend. The more and more a child may play these violent games, the more they become immune to these things piece by piece. Before they even realize it, they may not deem a horrible act as heinous as they once did just because they have been exposed to it for so long.

Even further, video games can lead a child into a feeling of social isolation. While they may have tons of friends of all ages from all around the world on "Call of Duty," constantly being on a gaming system is limiting or even diminishing them from spending actual quality time with kids their own ages. This may lead to behavior problems, due to the fact that they have not had as much experience with social interaction.

Before you go around beating parents with your newfound knowledge thanks to this awesome Odyssey writing you are currently reading, don't forget to take some things into consideration. It is difficult as a parent to tell your children no sometimes. Parents obviously want their children to be happy and do not want to take away all of their fun. Perhaps parents can work on the balance between video games and other more physical and social activities. I am not at all saying video games are a bad thing, I myself and others just do not want young lives being completely taken over by this form of entertainment. Even adults can experience these same problems today! Too much of anything is not good. Do your part in educating your loved ones, whether they currently have children or not. Let's all try to push our youth today in the right direction to becoming future greatness!