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Video games now a big craze among youngsters

Many students are bunking classes to spend time in Dubais video game outlets and deceiving their parents, according to their peers.

Video games outlets are being frequented by teenagers who spend six or more hours daily, sitting in front of screens, immersed in an unreal world.

Saeed, an 18-year-old UAE national who is seeking a job in a government department, knows of several such cases . "There are kids who bunk classes and lie to their parents that they were at school. They spend almost the whole day playing video games. Even during exam days, you can see them hanging around the amusement halls until one or two at night," he commented.

According to Saeed, most of the youths are Arab, a mix of nationalities from the region.

"After nine or 10 in the evening, under-18s are not allowed in the parlours, but some kids defy even that rule," added Saeed.

Activities

School students Abdalla and Omar, both under-18 and visiting from Abu Dhabi, concur that a young person's life has to be organised so that educational, social and recreational activities are all given their proper due.

"We've seen people spend too much time playing video games, it seems like they have nothing better to do," said Omar.

Dubai native Marwan, now in his 20s and employed in Dubai TV, says that he used to visit video game arcades regularly, but did not get hooked to them.

"Some of the teenagers who come here exhibit disturbing characteristics. They don't go to school nor are they engaged in anything constructive. They also sport strange hairstyles, and may spend up to 10 hours playing games," he remarked.

One local youth ventured to say that playing video games was beneficial, because it served as a less harmful alternative to other things the young can get involved in.

"If you want my honest opinion, I think it's not a bad thing. Immoral acts like drinking alcohol and having unlawful sexual relations are increasing in Dubai, and if these video games can keep people occupied then that is good," expressed Fahd, 19, standing outside Ashjan Electronic Games and Billiards Hall in Abu Hail. When asked if they received many visitors, an employee at the Ashjan games arcade said there were good and bad days for the business. He added that most of those who came were over 20, and after 9pm under-18s were not allowed in.

Pros and cons

The medical perspective on playing video games is that there are advantages and disadvantages.

"On the one hand, computer games can enhance dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination. In moderation these games could serve to develop and maintain these skills. From what I have observed though, video games and moderation do not go together."

"This is where the negative effects come in. In a computer game, the experience is that the player can control the reality on the screen. That is not the case in real life, of course, and with children this can lead to impatience, disappointment and disillusionment," explained Transpersonal Counsellor, Nargis Raza.

He suggested that the habit of hanging around video game parlours for long hours may in itself be detrimental to a young person's morals.

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• UAE