Nowadays, as digital technology develops rapidly, more and more entertainment games, such as computer games, are presented for children, and this is making children less willing to participate in outdoor activities. I believe that this is largely due to the accessibility of video games. This is overwhelmingly negative development, as spending more time playing such games could cause serious problems to children.
One of the main causes is the widespread of availability of video games. Nowadays, children have access both digital devices and the internet. So, video games and smartphones are more instantly accessible and engaging than organising a sports match for children, especially in urban areas with limited outdoor space. Moreover, games are deliberately designed to be addictive (rewards, levels, social features), keeping children engaged for longer than sport typically does. For instance, it is cheaper and easier for both children and parents access internet than than join a sports club today.
On the other hand, the main drawback of this development is that children become increasingly sedentary, which causes severe health problems because children are now more sedentary than previous generation. Reduced physical activity is directly linked to childhood obesity and poor cardiovascular health. Spending much more time in front of the screen can lead to constant inactivity, which can slow the blood circulation. This can lead to obesity, in turn, because they burn fewer calories due to insufficient physical activity. Nevertheless, this development does offer some advantages. For example, some games develop problem-solving, strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination.