THE DILEMMA OF TECHNOLOGY: A STUDY OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ONLINE VIDEO GAMES ON PLAYERS

Abstract

Video game usually involves the interaction of player with an input device like controller, keyboard or other display device to generate visual feedback on a video screen. Online video games are played on specialized electronic devices like computers or mobile devices or other display screens. In this context, the intendent study is an attempt to investigate the adverse impacts caused by online video games. The study is framed under qualitative research design following and adopting the qualitative method for data collection and analysis. It was conducted in Thana and Khanpur cities of Malakand Division in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of existence of issue. Interview guide is used as the tool for data collection where face to face interaction was made with the respondents and data is collected in the form black and white (pen and paper). A total of 9 interviews are conducted from respondents who were involved in online video games. The data is translated, transcribed and themes are drawn accordingly followed by discussion and further analysis. The finding derived in the study showed that online video games have negative social, psychological and religious impacts on players and also have effects on their academic performance. The study recommends that the parents and educators should aware the children, teenagers and adults about the proper use of electronic gadgets.