Information TechnologyUnit 1 Outcome 3ICT Issues:Computer Gaming

ICT Issues

Even though there are a number of benefits in regards to the use of ICT, there are also a number of negative effects that arise from it’s use.

ICT Issues At present, the five major & most

popular ICT issues are:Computer GamingSocial NetworkingCloud ComputingRoboticse-Commerce

ICT Issues - Stakeholders A stakeholder, in regards to the use of ICT is

anyone that has the ability to design, develop, control, use or is affected by the use of ICT.

Stakeholders have the following responsibilities: To investigate the real & potential negative effects

of the particular ICT issue To eliminate or lessen these as much as possible.

ICT Issues When we look at those aspects of ICT

over the next few weeks, we will be looking at them from the following perspectives:

SocialEthicalLegalEnvironmental

ICT Issues - Aspects Social issues arise when the effects of

the use of the ICT or the actions of one of the stakeholders impacts on the daily life of another stakeholder.

Example: inappropriate comments about someone or a past event on a social networking site can turn into a social issue.

ICT Issues - Aspects Ethical issues arise when the impact

of the use of ICT by one stakeholder is responsible for ‘harm’ to another stakeholder.

Example: small e-commerce companies have an ethical obligation to ensure the privacy of data that they store about customers.

ICT Issues – Aspects Legal issues arise when the design or

implementation of ICT, or the action of a stakeholder conflicts with a law enacted by a particular government.

A legal issue may also have a social and/or ethical implication.

Example: making copies of music CD’s for friends is against the law in most countries around the world.

ICT Issues - Aspects Environmental issues arise when the

implementation or use of ICT results in a conflict between the environment stakeholders live in & the natural environment.

Example: the impact of e-waste & the increase in energy generation required to run many ICT technologies constitutes a potential environmental issue.

Computer gaming The playing of computer games, as well

as the increasing popularity and appeal of online gaming has led to a number of issues that have a number of stakeholders concerned.

Who might these stakeholders be?

Computer gaming Issues with computer gaming usually

arise to due to the often anti-social behaviours of a “computer addict” towards other stakeholders.

As stated earlier, these can become legal or ethical issues in severe circumstances.

Computer gaming Social/Ethical issues generally arise in

regards to themes or content being unsuitable for particular age groups, or for general publication to adults, such as racist, sexist or violent themes.

In relation to computer gaming, the stakeholders are the designers, developers & sellers of the games, as well as consumers.

Computer gaming Computer addiction

Occurs when a stakeholder becomes overly obsessed with computers, gaming or the Internet & begins to consume a major part of one’s social life.

Is a significant health problem & can sometimes require medical intervention (like any other behaviour or drug addiction)

Computer gaming Computer addiction

Consequences Family breakups Relationship breakdowns Decrease in interaction skills Job Loss Dropping out of school

Computer gaming Computer addiction

Symptoms Users crave computer time Overjoyed when at the computer Unable to stop computer activities Irritable when not at the computer Neglect of family/friends Work/School problems

Computer gaming Computer addiction

Treatment A number of Internet sites give advice

about how to prevent addiction however treatment is always best undertaken by a medical expert.

Usually involves counselling, open discussions, therapy & actions to remove access to the source of the addiction.

Discussion Question Question (Class Activity)

How much time do you spend on the Internet or playing video games? (Average per week)

How much time do you spend playing sport, completing homework or with family? (average per week)

Computer Gaming Unsuitable Games

Games that are of concern are those containing significant amounts of violence & offensive depictions of ethnic groups or women, or those that allow players to manipulate to do acts that would be unacceptable in real life.

Computer Gaming Unsuitable Games

Some games allow players to live in a fantasy world that is “fun” (often in a sci-fi or medieval setting) and prolonged exposure can be a problem.

Not everyone is affected in the same way by the prolonged exposure however for a number of reasons, a minority in the community are susceptible to a number of reactions.

Computer Gaming Unsuitable games

First Person Shooters (FPS) These allow the player to “become” the person on

the screen. It is claimed that these types of games are

particularly dangerous & have contributed to the increase in violent crimes over a number of years.

The main power of these games is the players’ immersion in particular scenarios, which have increased in realism as the graphics power of modern computers has increased.

The popularity of this type of game generally comes from the ability to play these games in a variety of multiplayer formats across local and global networks (Battle.net, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network)

Computer Gaming Unsuitable games

MMORPG’s Highly addictive due to being a part of an

online community & having to complete a number of tasks/missions, as wellto advance player levels to progress through the game.

Examples WoW The Sims DC Universe

Computer Gaming Stakeholders

Game designers & manufacturers Marketing departments Classification agencies Parents & Guardians Educators Religious & government authorities Game players

Why are these particular groups stakeholders when it comes to gaming?

Discussion Question A popular game that is addictive is The Sims. In

this game, players are in control of an humanoid avatar within a community.

Another addictive & popular game is called World of Warcraft (WoW). In this game, players are in control of armies from a number of different “races” (Humans, Night Elves, Blood Elves, Dwarves, etc)

What might be a reason that being addicted to The Sims not be as widely discussed and/or debated as a World of Warcraft (WoW) addiction?