Playing video games has become1
a popular activity for people of all
ages2. Video gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry
bringing in more money than movies3
and DVDs.
On average4, girls spend5
more than an hour per day playing video games and boys spend more than two
hours. Teens often6
spend even more7
time than younger children. Video games have become very sophisticated and
realistic. Some games connect to the internet, which can allow8 children and teenagers9 to play
games and have discussions with unknown10
adults and peers11.
While12 some games have
educational content, many of the most popular games emphasize13 negative themes and promote:
·
The killing14 of people
or animals
·
The use and
abuse of drugs and alcohol
·
Criminal behavior15,
disrespect for authority and the law
·
Sexual exploitation16 and
violence toward17
women
·
Racial, sexual, and gender18
prejudice19
·
Foul language20 and obscene gestures
Studies of children exposed to21
violent media have shown22
that they may23
become numb24 to
violence, imitate the violence, and show more aggressive behavior. Younger
children and those with emotional, behavioral25
or learning problems26
may be more influenced by violent images.
In moderation, playing age-appropriate games can be enjoyable27 and healthy28. Some video games may promote29 learning, problem solving30 and
help with the development31
of motor skills32
and coordination. However33,
there are concerns about34
the effect of video games on young people who play videogames excessively.
Children and teenagers can become overly
involved with35 videogames. They may have difficulty
controlling the amount of time36
they play. They may resist their parents’
attempts37 to limit their time playing video games. Spending
excessive time playing these games can lead
to38:
·
Less time
socializing with friends and family
·
Poor social skills
·
Time away from39 family time, school work, and other hobbies
·
Lower grades40
·
Less reading
·
Less exercise and
becoming overweight41
·
Decreased sleep42 and poor quality sleep
·
Aggressive thoughts43 and behaviors
Parents can
help their children enjoy these video games appropriately and avoid problems
by:
·
Avoiding44 video games in
preschool-aged children
·
Playing
videogames with their children to share46
the experience and discuss the game’s content
·
Setting46 clear rules
about game content and playing time, both
in and outside47 the home
·
Monitoring
online interactions and warning48
children about potential dangers of Internet contacts while playing games
online
·
Allowing49 video game
playing only in public areas of the home, not in the child’s bedroom
·
Remembering
that you are a role model50
for your children including which video games you play and how long you play
them
·
Ensuring51 video games
are only played after homework are done
·
Encouraging52 participation in other activities, particularly physical activities
Vocabulary
1. has become = tem se tornado
2. of all ages = de todas as idades
3. movies = filmes
4. On average = em media
5. Spend = passam
6. Often = frequentemente
7. even more = ainda mais
8. which can allow = o que pode permitir
9. teenagers = adolescentes
10. unknown = desconhecido
11. peers = pessoas da mesma idade
12. While = enquanto
13. Emphasize = enfatizar
14. Killing = matança
15. Behavior = comportamento
16. Exploitation = exploração
17. Toward = em relação a
18. Gender = gênero, sexo
19. Prejudice = preconceito
20. Foul language = linguagem vulgar
21. exposed to = exposto a
22. have shown = tem mostrado
23. May = podem (possibilidade)
24. Numb = paralisado, adormecido
25. Behavioral = comportamental
26. learning problems = problemas de aprendizado
27. enjoyable = agradável
28. healthy = saudável
29. promote = promover
30. problem solving = resolução de problemas
31. development = desenvolvimento
32.
motor skills = habilidades motoras
excelentes
33.
However =
contudo
34.
concerns about = preocupações a
respeito de
35.
overly involved with = excessivamente
envolvidos com
36.
amount of time
= quantia de tempo
37.
parents’
attempts = tentativas dos pais
38.
lead to =
conduzir a
39.
Time away from
= tempo longe de
40.
Lower grades = notas mais baixas
41.
becoming overweight = ficar acima do
peso, obeso
42.
Decreased sleep
= diminuição do sono
43.
Aggressive thoughts = pensamentos
agressivos
44.
Avoiding = evitando
45.
Share = compartilhar
46.
Setting =
estabelecendo
47. both in and outside = tanto dentro quanto for a
48. warning = alertando
49. Allowing = permitindo
50. role model = modelo a seguir
51. Ensuring = assegurando-se que
52. Encouraging = encorajando