Well I have never really been that into video games.  I remember when I got Nintendo for Christmas one year, pretty sure my dad just claimed it was for my sister and I when really he played it more then I ever did.    The original Nintendo is the best!!! I have tried every other version, Playstation, 360, Gamecube and I don’t understand any of them. I think I might be the worst video gamer ever.  I have never understood what any of the buttons do and half the time it takes me forever to figure out what player I actually am and what I’m supposed to be doing.  There has been a major shift or advancement in gaming since the original Nintendo was first produced.   

There has been steady increase in the number of video games with violent themes.  A number of studies have begun to find connections between children’s playing of violent video games and later aggressive behavior.  There is some similarity in the effect of viewing violent television programs and playing violent video games on individuals’ aggressive behavior.  There has been speculation that performing violent actions in video games may be more conducive to children’s aggression than passively watching violent acts on television.  Therefore, the more children practice violence acts, the more likely they are to perform violent acts.   

The world of video games has little sense of community and few team players. Also, most video games do not allow play by more than one player at a time. The social content of video games may influence children’s attitudes toward gender roles.  In my group of friends more males play video games more frequently than females. Television program producers and video game manufacturers may produce violent shows and games for this audience. This demand for violence may not arise because of an innate male desire to witness violence, but because males are looking for strong role models, which they find in these shows and games.   

Although I have pointed out some negative effects of gaming there are still many positive reasons which are usually not given into consideration.  Provide a fun and social form of entertainment, encourage teamwork and cooperation when played with others, make kids feel comfortable with technology, increase children’s self-confidence and self-esteem as they master games, develop skills in reading, math, and problem-solving and may improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.  Many people say that gaming is seen as a way of procrastination; well don’t we all have something like that?  For many university students it’s Facebook. 

According to dictionary.com a split infinitive is:  An infinitive verb form with an element, usually an adverb, interposed between to and the verb form, as in to boldly go.  I think this rule makes sense because I think it adds more to a paper you are writing.  Then again someone might think that you are just trying to fill space by using this so it may be acceptable but not preferable.