Computer addiction: Education’s worst distractor
PARENTS have wonderful plans for their children but for sure, their ultimate dream is to see them reach success through proper education. They work hard just to make ends meet and send them to school. They, too, believe that the knowledge and skills gained through schooling will help their children understand every facet of life and eventually transform their lives to the better.
The national government has been implementing various programs to enhance the educational system so as to give everybody a chance to avail quality education.
However, not all who are enjoying this privilege have appreciated the importance of education. Some prefer to skip or even be absent; hop from one internet café to another enjoying their favourite Counter strike: Global Offensive, Defences of the Ancients, and League of Legends. The longing continues until students are already addicted to it.
What is computer addiction? Dictionary defines computer addiction as the excessive or compulsive use of computer which persists despite serious negative consequences for personal, social- occupational function. Computer addiction curtails one’s time to perform physical activities. Worse, others who cannot control their desire to play, stay late at night unaware of what may happen in the internet café or on their way of home. Some are hesitant to go to school the next day because they are sleepy and weak. They miss quizzes, long test and even grading examination. What is next? Their grades keep on decreasing.
Psychologist Jane Haely reiterates that children who are heavily exposed to video games tend to process information visually so listening becomes a problem. Spending long hours in front of the monitor can lead to loss of interest in school activities and sooner or later be a reason why a student fails or drops school.
However Carol Bruning, in her article “Getting a Grip on Video Games,” stresses that computer games are not at all negative; it increases eye-hand coordination, enhances self-esteem, teaches one to accept failure as part of the process of achieving a goal and makes one feels good after a hard-fought challenge.
Moreover, William Gibson, an AmericanCanadian writer reminds us that technologies are morally neutral until we apply them. It is only when we use them for good or evil that they become good or evil.
Student should be aptly admonished of the negative effects of computer addiction. School authorities should adapt measures on how to win back students and make school attractive to them.
Local government should be vigilant enough to check if city ordinances on internet gaming are properly implemented.
Children are God’s gift to parents, what they do with them is their gift back to God. Parents should not take their children for granted nor, be overconfident that they are studying. They should find time and visit school to know what is happening.
Are your sons and daughters really school?
Do not allow distractors such as computer addiction to shatter our young generation’s dreams. Let us pull them through so they can become responsible and productive individuals. (