British tabloid/glorified comic book The Sun has brought on a neuroscience expert to argue that videogames can cause temporary -- and perhaps permanent -- mental problems in children. Yep, it's that time of the month where another British "newspaper" scares its readers into hating something irrationally.
Baroness Greenfield argues that a child's brain, "can be temporarily disabled by activities with a strong sensory content -- 'blowing the mind'. Or they can be inactivated permanently by degeneration -- ie. dementia."
Apparently, "Screen technologies cause high arousal which in turn activates the brain system's underlying addiction. This results in the attraction of yet more screen-based activity." She uses all these words to suggest that kids need to step outside for some fresh air -- good advice in any situation, without the need for scaremongering.
"There is a need to be outside, to climb trees and feel the grass under your feet and the sun on your face," she adds.
So there you go, your children will literally have their brains rot if they play too many videogames, and we have a single scientist to prove it! Then again, considering you'd already have to be brain damaged to read The Sun in the first place, I doubt there's much to be worried about.
Computer games ‘are giving kids dementia’ [The Sun]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
11:30 AM on 10.14.2011 | 
Ahem..sony,nintendo,pot,kettle
Playing video games just seems less deadly. :)
You do realize they only research these things because they want to know the bad stuff, and if there isn't they'll just make it up?
WHY DO WE BOTHER WITH THE SUN?
THE SUN
IS
WORTHLESS
Once you start playing, the world outside DISAPPEARS!!! It's a well known fact, and I have one scientist to prove it!
Come on, I've been playing games all my life (My mom was a gamer!), and I still had time to go play with my friends outside.
I have a good job today as a perfectly functional adult in society... Or is it just delusions due to my demented mental state??? 0_0
Again, no complaints or anything, just expressing a somewhat uneasy feeling about this.
That's the fucking thing.
Tabloids around the whole goddamn world nerdbait people by posting these psychotic news, are you fucking kidding me? You twist the words of a fucking scientist for publicity and money? How is that even fucking allowed in this world? The Sun has ZER0 integrity.
FUCKING ZERO, They are trash!
We should just ignore these kind of news posts of mindless drivel.
We are just keeping them alive by visiting their site.
Its a big crazy world out there. The more we know about it, the more we can be prepared for that world.
Also. According to the Sun the streets are full of terrorists and pedophiles so exactly where can my child play?
@jim
When will you stop posting articles about the sun? Sure, I've commented and added my contribution to the destructoid coffers by clicking but this stuff is truly objectionable.
Also. According to the Sun the streets are full of terrorists and pedophiles so exactly where can my child play?
@jim
When will you stop posting articles about the sun? Sure, I've commented and added my contribution to the destructoid coffers by clicking but this stuff is truly objectionable.
prime example.
See.. She added that you should have the news paper on your face, to spend your money there and slather it all in your eye sockets.
F*cking sun.. I hate it as a news paper about as much as I hate it as a gaseous celestial body.
I've being playing videogaems for more than twenty years and i am prfectlycplbl of grable nim sit ena mdipn, nes dhf jhuresiscv.
As for the article from The Sun, it's so bare of details that it's nearly meaningless, with most of the 'conclusions' being in the form of paraphrasing by the writer. It's impossible to know what the speaker in question was actually saying by reading this piece of drivel.
Fucking news media...
to tell them to get their kids to get out more.
I'd much rather feel The Sun on my rectum on a vindaloo day.
FECES.
@Gorescream
[i]"WHY DO WE BOTHER WITH THE SUN?
THE SUN
IS
WORTHLESS"[/i]
Somehow this is the funniest thing I've read all week.
So nobody read it.
I'm like Super Logic Man!
While the Sun isn't even good as rag....just saying.
I seriously can't think of any other reason to push this crap. Is there a social acceptance of any of these theories/stories in the UK? As in, do people even actually care? If not, then what is the market for stories like this?