The Detrimental Effects of the Virtual World on Children

Abstract

With the emergence of television and its spread in capillary fashion, the virtual world began for the first time to occupy an important place in interpersonal relationships. Television brought about manifold changes, in that more and more time was being put aside for TV viewing, people were becoming increasingly passive, and the image culture began to predominate over the reading culture. The importance of marketing was heeded and was brought to perfection, and so the virtual world had an even greater influence in shaping children’s behaviour in an increasingly negative way. The internet together with the new mobile media, which make possible ubiquitous access to the screen, marks the turning point at which virtualization expands into social life as well. Video games are the last important factor to consider since they simulate reality more and more faithfully and manage to replace it to such an extent that they can cause true addiction. Since corporations are aware of the huge earning potential involved as well as the potential for control through the media, they are guided solely by their interests, and so it is vital for adults — parents in particular — to put themselves in control of the virtual world by teaching their children to use it only to the extent that it benefits them.