Obama - Video Games Are a Health Concern

[Webs961]

According to U.S. President Obama, video games contribute to a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle. In accordance with his healthcare reform policies, Obama plans to attempt to change the public's lifestyle choices in order to create a healthier generation.

The second step that we can all agree on is to invest more in preventive care so that we can avoid illness and disease in the first place. That starts with each of us taking more responsibility for our health and the health of our children. It means quitting smoking, going in for that mammogram or colon cancer screening. It means going for a run or hitting the gym, and raising our children to step away from the video games and spend more time playing outside.

According to Game Politics, "In other speeches, Obama has frequently linked video games to academic underachievement."



Do video games necessarily lead to academic underachievement and a slew of health concerns, or are these thoughts merely oversimplifications?

Source: GamePolitics

[[55RA]W|Pvt.shiftydood]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

its called, dont play video games all day every day for years on end. idiots.

[iQue]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

This is a much better approach than the "OMG BAN" hysteria that's going on in Germany right now.

[Iwantcable]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

...raising our children to step away from the video games and spend more time playing outside.

I think that's reasonable.

...lead to academic underachievement and a slew of health concerns...

Now I haven't read any of his speeches, but given the above statement I think this is quite an exaggeration. Video gaming was just used as an example of an activity that doesn't allow for physical or mental exercise. That's fair for the most part, since the children in question are probably playing Halo and CoD instead of Wii Fit or Civilization.

My view is that video games can lead to academic underachievement and health concerns if not taken in moderation, just like any other hobby or sport. Think about all the dumb jocks that are going to have back and knee problems for the rest of their life. It just happens to be that as video games become more popular, so will stories of addiction become more popular.

[M0ldyM!LK]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

Regardless if its a better approach than OMG BAN, I still see it as a problem when the federal government wants to have a say in your personal lifestyle. :|:

[Chaoticrambo]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

According to Game Politics, "In other speeches, Obama has frequently linked video games to academic underachievement."

I hate Obama to begin with, and this just makes me hate him even more.

I LOVE PC gaming - I spend around 30 hours or so in-game each week (43 hours the last two weeks in steam alone).

Am I unhealthy? - I am 5'11" and around 130 lbs, I work out half an hour a night (not much, but its something) as well as swimming very often.

Am I academically underachieving? - I am going to be a senior in high school after this summer, and instead of going the high school I will be going to college full time through post secondary, I will have 29 college credits by the time I graduate high school.

It seems when politicians get their stats, they are only getting them from a select few of bad examples.

[iQue]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

Regardless if its a better approach than OMG BAN, I still see it as a problem when the federal government wants to have a say in your personal lifestyle. :|:

I see where you're coming from but it can be hard to draw the line where the government should interfere or not. Video gaming can potentially be an health issue, but I believe it's more up to educate the parents than to restrict it somehow.

[Obsidian Spire]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

Over-achievers are usually outweighed by under-achievers, in my opinion. Games can inspire people to think and imagine, just like other mediums of entertainment such as films or books, but games affect everyone differently. Usually, it's the person's fault if they won't push themself in school, or can't manage their time efficiently.

Reminds me of that saying, "hate the game, not the player." Personally, I believe it's the opposite, at least in most cases: don't blame the game, blame the player.

[DeadlyMACD]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

I don't mind the government encouraging people to stay healthy and be physically fit. There should be enforced restrictions on the sale of Adult rated video games to minors. Like the movies. But beyond that government shouldn't be allowed to have any control over our hobbies. A study would probably show the vast majority of gamers are healthy, responsible adults. It's the responsibility of parents to make sure their children don't play too much.

[MrKLM]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

I sat around most of the last 2 days playing The Sims 3, I am now concerned.

[Chief82]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

Hmmm...I'm failing to see where in his speech he is saying "government will be restricting..."

He is saying we (collectively and individually) need to take personal responsibility for what we do...because we (collectively and individually) can and do have an impact on the health care benefits available to all of us. If we are a relatively unhealthy plan group, community, nation, etc. that means potentially higher premiums we all have to pay. Yes, John Q's overeating, smoking likestyle takes dollars out of my pocket (and yours) every year...contributing to the sky rocketing cost of health insurance in this county. But nowhere in the above speech or any I've seen is mandating any kind of lifestyle regulatory measures imposed by government. In essence, it's you are in control of your own destinies...get you crap together if you want things to improve (health care-wise). If not, you'll likely die before your time and drain a little extra coin out of your and your neighbors pocket.

Chaoticrambo = It seems when politicians get their stats, they are only getting them from a select few of bad examples.

Although I don't know what stats are being reference here, I would imagine they're pretty accurate. Since a stat like this is not stating "100%", you my friend are on one side of that stat...likely the smaller, positive part. Good for you.

[{UN}TA.Livermortis]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

i do beleive that this is a testing of the waters what is the reaction of the public befor we step in and take on the indistry. show we care and it is costing us all money then we now have a new tax base ie game servers per hour and play game makers g pg nr17 r. we need a excuse to gain simpathy this will give us impathy from the public and then we do what we do best.

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' Ronald Reagan

[The_Eliminator]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

I like how he talks about underachieving when it has been stated that reading books for young children can substantially help their academic achievements in life. HOWEVER it has been scientifically proven that playing video games uses 3x the amount of brain power than reading a book utilizes.

[Iwantcable]

Re: Obama-Video Games Are a Health Concern

i do beleive that this is a testing of the waters what is the reaction of the public befor we step in and take on the indistry. show we care and it is costing us all money then we now have a new tax base ie game servers per hour and play game makers g pg nr17 r. we need a excuse to gain simpathy this will give us impathy from the public and then we do what we do best.

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' Ronald Reagan

[JunoPPCLI]

Re: Obama - Video Games Are a Health Concern

Myself - Annoying presidents who don't mind there own damn business are an annoyance concern. Don't want your kids playing games Obama ? Good for you, GFY and make them go outside and leave everyone else out of it.