Kwun Lam Community Centre Youth Club

The Editor,

Hong Kong Daily News,

P.O. Box 13,

Hong Kong.

26^th March, 1994.

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the letter written by Concerned Father, [1] titled “Keep Dangerous Games Cut”[1] published in Hong Kong Daily News dated 22^nd March, 1994 [1]. As a committee member of the Youth Club at Kwun Lam Community Centre, I believe I have the responsibility to explain clearly [2] that the advantages of installation of video games outweigh the disadvantages. [2]

The Concerned Father says that the parents of the youngsters are unaware of the decision of installing video games in the Youth Club. I disagree to his point. Every three months, a newsletter will be released for the parents. [3] The newsletter clearly states the services provided by our Youth Club. For the March Newsletter, [3] it states the information of the installation of video games. I am sure the parents are aware of this decision and understand it thoroughly.

The Concerned Father also disagrees that children played video games for long hours in small, dark, airless space. I believe he needs not to worry about that. There is a wide range of activities provided in the Youth Club to prevent long hours playing. [4] Guidelines are issued for the youngsters who include time limits. [4] The games are also situated in well-lighted and well-ventilated premises. [5]

Moreover, the cholesterol levels of the youngsters raise because the youngsters do not have exercise and skip meals. I also agree to this point. [6] According to “Computer Games Can Be A Health Hazard”(From the Daily News, 13-1-1994) [6] Computer and video games can really endanger youngsters’ health indirectly. But I think it is the youngsters’ responsibility not to be addicted. Our Youth Club provides range of activities for members so that youngsters will not be addicted in playing video games. They have many other choices. [7] Guidelines are also issued which encourage youngsters to keep physically fit . [7] The Concerned Father also believed playing video games provide no interaction. According to “The Interactive Computer Games” by G R & E Loftus, [8] video and computers do provide interaction. [8] As a player, I get feedback all the time.

In the Concerned Father’s letter, children who play video games are in danger of being physically injured. One case was that two young men broke their arms by wrestling machines. Refer to an article in Hong Kong Herald, 19-1-1994, “Arm Wrestling Games Removed”[9] , all the potentially dangerous machines have all been withdrawn from use. [9]Another case is about muscular strain. It will happen with overuse, [10] as stated in “Health Danger for Sports Dropouts”(From the Daily News, 1-3-1994) [10] As mentioned before, we provide many activities for members. Overuse of video games is unlikely to happen. [11] Guidelines are also issued on the problem of overuse. [11]

The Concerned Father said the flickering lights from the video games will cause Epilepsy. It has been proved to be wrong. [12] From the article, “Do Computer Games cause Epilepsy” by Dr Leigh, 10-3-1994, [12] video games will only trigger off an epileptic fit in someone who already has a tendency for it but it will not cause Epilepsy.

Not every video game is with violent content. In our Youth Club, games are selected to avoid needless violence content. [13] Although according to HK Action Against Crime Committee Report No.6, 1993 [14] the violent crime is rising among children aged between 14 and 18 [14] , the link between violent crime and video games are not established. [15] The figure from the report also reflects the greater willingness of people to report crime. [15] Members can only use our Club services. Membership is restricted and members are carefully screened before allowing joining. [16] With adult supervision, the children will not come into contact with triad activities. [16]

From the article “Rethinking the Role of Computers in Schools” released in “Computers as Energy, Rethinking their Role in Schools”by Michael [17] video games can help youngsters to develop problems solving skills. They can also help youngsters to attend to many processes at the same time. [17] From “Education the Name of the Game”, Daily News, 22-1-1994, [18] Albert Chan thinks that video games have an education value. [18]

Installing video games for our members not only provide enjoyable recreation; they can also be benefited from educational games. I am sure our decision is correct and will not remove the games. [19] I hope the Concerned Father and other readers will understand. [20]

Yours faithfully, [21]

Nicky Mok

Committee Member