Are there benefits for young people from playing computer games?
In the 'Private Eye' segment of young people's television programme 'Echo Island’, director David Barry, reporter David Baker and cameraman Craig Deegan from St Patricks Boys' National School, Hollypark in Blackrock, Dublin investigate computer gaming.
The young investigation team firmly believe computer games are educational, but they surveyed fellow pupils to obtain a wider opinion. Nineteen of the 35 young people in their class had computers. They spent 8 hours per week on average playing computer games,
That sounds a lot, but the average time spent watching television is 12 hours.
Classmates Ronan, David, Peter, and David all find playing computer games entertaining and their favourites are ‘Kevin Keegan's Player Manager’, ‘Mortal Kombat’, ‘Street Fighter II’, and ‘Sensible Soccer’.
Dr Vincent Moloney a psychiatrist and an expert on child and adolescent development gives his opinion on whether computer games are good or bad for children. He believes there are benefits but should be played in moderation. He thinks children need some exposure to computers.
There is no way that computer games are going to go away and I think you have to learn to cope with them because computing of all kinds is becoming a more important part of everyday life.
Skills such as hand-eye coordination and spatial ability can be developed through playing computer games. These are a function of the right side of the brain which stimulates creativity, therefore computer games can develop creativity in children.
The boys surmise computer games can be educational and hope parents are convinced by their argument.
This episode of 'Echo Island' was broadcast on 18 October 1994.
‘Echo Island’ was broadcast on RTÉ Network 2 as part of ‘The Den’. It first aired in September 1994 and concluded in June 1999. The presenters included Dara Ó Briain, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, Alan Hughes, Derek Mooney, Mary Kingston and Carrie Crowley.
