Connor Blacktooth
Principal, Awesomeness Public High School
321 Pepsi Street
P.O. Box 300
Mountain Dew City, Arizona 86420
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March 3, 2010
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Mrs. Johnette Smith
123 Coke Lane
P.O. Box 101
Mountain Dew City, Arizona 86420
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Mrs. Smith;
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As the principal of Awesomeness High, it would be unwise for me to turn a blind eye to our students. I am becoming increasingly concerned about how video games are affecting our youth. Video games have some rather disagreeable side effects, and these negative qualities are not to be ignored. What you, as a parent, need to do is limit your child’s game time.
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Video games are a cause of violent behavior, and they take over the lives of today’s teenagers and children. In addition to that, a study has been conducted that shows video games, especially violent ones, cause sweating, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure (Brenda).
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Effects like those above are known to be bad for kids in almost any scenario. These games are pillaging our youth, so to speak. Where would you be in life right now if you’d spent your whole childhood doing nothing but playing video games? A good reason games aren’t good for your kids is that they don’t get nearly enough fresh air. They just stay cooped up in their room days on end. Children just rot away in front of that screen. Modern games are becoming more and more addictive and violent. Addiction absorbs the lives of people, and violence slowly eats away at their hearts. We had an incident in the hall this past week in which two students, whose names shall remain unsaid, kicked down the door to the janitor closet, pulled out brooms, and used them for a “legendary sword fight”. They were swinging in all directions, whacking lockers and punching holes in the wall. These two individuals seemed to think that nothing matters as long as they are having fun. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated and it will certainly not continue.
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Some may argue that there are good qualities possessed by video games. Quicker thinking and faster reactions, for instance. According to WNT, people “…might be missing some redeeming qualities…” It may be true, but it’s also true that we can get these qualities from other activities. If your children need faster reactions or quicker thinking, play basketball with them. Make them get some air once in a while. Go swim. Take a hike. Enjoy a weekend camping trip. Have foot races. Play tag. A classic game of chess wouldn’t hurt once in a while. There are countless activities that provide a healthy alternative to video games. These activities are more healthy because they provide more exercise, therefore keeping your body in a healthy and agile condition. Research has, on more than one occasion, shown that nothing keeps your body strong as much as pure exercise.
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With that said, video games are not good for your kids. We as a school will be trying to control game time, but we need you as a parent to help us attain this goal. Limit their game time. Keep them in more social activities. Nothing could be better for your offspring than fresh air, social time, and active events. Video games are to be used under supervision and time control.
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With best regards,
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