IELTS Essay # 40 - Some people say that computer games are bad for children by all means, others believe that these games are contributing to children’s development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. - Commonly asked essay question

N.B.: Another very common topic asked in IELTS Writing Task 2. This question may also be asked in similar lines, such as:

Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a large number of children play computer games. What are the positive and negative impacts of playing computer games and what can be done to minimize the bad effects?

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

The key is to be flexible with your knowledge on this topic and present the arguments in coherence to the question. It is very important to NOT cram a fixed set of text regarding topics commonly asked in IELTS. There are always some variations.

Essay # 40

Some people say that computer games are bad for children by all means; others believe that these games are contributing to children’s development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Children nowadays spend several hours playing video games; since the last few years these games have become increasingly popular. While some experts think that these games corrupt the brain, some others also feel that computer games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills for their future. This essay shall consider both perspectives and end at a personal approach.

Parents usually complain of their child being addicted to video games, like playing for 2 hours at a stretch, but practically but the time issue is a red herring. This is a normal time for a child to play – video game or otherwise. Another issue is of these games being too violent. Although there’s no concrete research linking violent games to violence in real life, common sense says we should limit a child’s exposure as such games glamorize violence and are not realistic. Playing video games can be considered to be an addiction or detrimental if it disrupts or compromises other important things in children’s life, for instance if they can’t concentrate on their homework because of gaming or have no friendships.

When a child plays video games, it gives his brain a real workout.  In many video games, the skills required to win involve abstract and high level thinking. In shooting games, the character may be running and shooting at the same time, which develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills. In strategy games, for example, while developing a city, an unexpected surprise like an enemy attack might emerge.  This forces the player to be flexible and quickly change tactics enabling quick thinking and making fast analysis. Because of all these factors, video games are deemed to be more constructive than harming.

In closing, I’d say computer games are contributing to children’s development, though in an unconventional sort of way. We cannot deny that we are now living in a high-tech, sophisticated world so an all-out negative attitude towards computer gaming is not reasonable. Level-headedness in such matters can help curb the damaging effects.

(334 words)