Publications
THE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMING TO SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
OF STUDENTS
by:
Rosanna M. Medina
Orani National High School – Parang - Parang
It may be hard to fathom but gaming was actually a very old leisure activity.
Gaming has evolved through the decades, from arcade shooting games from the 70’s and
80’s to the Family computer and console games of the 90’s to the early 2000’s. Game is an
innate pastime that grew with some of us.
Today however, gaming is a whole another level thanks to the invention of the
internet. Originally internet was created as a source and storage of information, yet
through the years people has come to use the commodity for several other purposes, one
of which is online gaming. A couple of years ago online gaming is usually played on PC
or desktop computers at home or at computer cafes. Teenagers of the 2010’s to 2016’s
flock computer establishments mostly after school or after lunch on weekends.
But as technology progress further, gaming went from stationary to portable
through handheld devices like tablets and smartphones. Now-a-days there are tons of
games to choose from. From the all so popular Mobile Legends (ML) to Arena of Valor
(AOV) to Rules of Survival (ROS), there is a flavor for everyone. And as the gaming
becomes more and more accessible, the people who plays it becomes more and more
hooked. If before when PC games are at its peek, when asked teenagers consider playing
online games as a source of entertainment and a way to get out of the heat (since most
computer cafes are air-conditioned) now in an era of mobile internet and smartphones,
gaming is a way of life.
12 November 2019
Publications
Truly gaming has some advantages to it. Gaming can be a diversion for teenagers.
Anxiety and depression are unfortunately very common on teenagers due to so many
different factors, like study stress and peer pressure. Gaming provides an outlet to those
troubled teens which in turn keep them away from some more harmful situation and
substances.
Although there are some advantages in gaming it is also undeniable that it can also
cause some concerns especially when it comes to its effects in the academic performance
of students. According to research almost 85% of a class population plays mobile games,
at least 50% of that plays online mobile games like ML and AOV. Most of the time these
students are very easy to spot. Actually, it is a common scene within a classroom to find
students holding their mobile phones during breaks times. The students are so
preoccupied by mobile games that sometimes they tend to set aside more important
things just so they can play. Reviewing and studying in between classes and after school
became none existent. A student plays an average of 3-4 hours a day on weekdays and
about 4-6 hours on weekends. That sum of time can be spent on something more
productive. Though studies concluded that the effects of mobile gaming do not
exponentially affect the school performance of students as long as the gaming is kept at a
manageable level and in moderation.
This where the parents and the teachers come to the picture. It is advisable for parents to
monitor the gaming activities and the time children spend in mobile games at home. It is
best to reprimand them when they exceed the allowable amount of time they were given.
At school it is profound that there are NO mobile gaming allowed within the school
premises to ensure that the time they spend at campus grounds will be for studying and
other productive activities.
Like any other leisure activity, it all comes down to balance and moderation.
Mobile gaming is an innovation in terms of entertainment and it can serve advantageous
when dealt with accordingly.
12 November 2019
Publications
References:
Online Gaming: Impact on the Academic Performance and Social Behavior of the
Students in Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School.
By: Dennis O. Dumrique and Jennifer G. Castillo
THE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMING TOWARDS THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
OF SELECTED GRADE 10 STUDENTS
BY: AARON JOHN CONINGCO ROBINSON
12 November 2019
