Video games entertain and educate if used wisely

Sports, television, pets, toys - people use these to relax after a hard day's work.

Video games also provide entertainment.

Whether they are doing irreparable damage to children is open to question.

Basically video games can make you relax.

Youngsters can improve their concentration by playing until the words 'game over' appear on the screen.

Then they should carry on with their other work.

Moreover, some video games are educational and can help enhance co-ordination.

Some games can be played by two or more people. There fore, you need not be alone. You can join your friends in adventure games which call for clear, sensible action.

So you can strengthen your relationship with friends by embarking on these 'missions'.

But there is another side to the games issue.

Some video games contain violence which will have a negative impact on youngsters playing them.

This might create a wrong impression that violence can solve everything.

There have been cases where players who had been deeply involved in their games had lost their temper, causing harm to others.

This is taking things too far.

Children are more likely to resort to such behaviour because they may not be able to control themselves.

If they are not guided by their parents, they are likely to neglect their homework, preferring to play on the computer.

As a result, they would fail their examinations. These children will be affected, both emotionally and physically.

These are some guidelines that may benefit video-game players. The main point is they should not be 'addicted' to the games.

They should also sit properly in front of the terminal and take a break during the game.

Video games should never interfere with your daily life.

Kin-wai is a student at Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K T Chong Sixth Form College (Evening Section)