Are Games a New Social Gateway for Teenagers and Kids?

In recent years, video games have become increasingly popular among people of all types, but especially among both teenagers and children. These games now have content which is directed at these age groups, primarily teenagers, because they're the main players of video games today.

There are several different social aspects to most popular games these days. Massively multiplay online role playing games, or MMORPG's have been extremely popular among all other online games lately, and are expected to continue growing at such exponential rates.

The main players of these games are teenagers as well. The great thing about these games is the social aspect. I've played several games such as these. A few may include Maplestory and World of Warcraft. Both of these games have great gameplay, but a main reason why a lot of the people played these games was because their friends played the game, and they enjoyed chatting with and leveling with their friends on a daily basis.

Is forming parties, gaining levels, wealth, and more friends online a new form of a social gathering? I'm starting to believe that playing some of the video games these days is actual an alternative to actually going to social situations, where you would meet and hangout with new people or current friends.

Since there are many different aspects to all games, the social aspect always gains some popularity. There really isn't much fun in a game if you just play with robots or different people you don't know all day. The entire point of playing online is to have the ability to play with your friends, form parties and groups, as well as find new people to play with, and make new friends.

The amount of possibilities for social situations online in games are infinite. I've long misunderstood the reasons why people are so psychologically addicted to these video games, and I can definitely understand the fact that the games have a social aspect will play a role in video game addiction. People want to talk to each other! What better way than to do it in a fun, unique, virtual world where there are many other things to do together as well?

My main point is, people don't necessarily just sit in their dark bedrooms all day playing video games and ridding their selves of valuable time. People say that these children and teenagers should be spending time socializing. It's true that they should, but they are! Children and teenagers who play games online are constantly exposed to social situations, if more than other kids who go out to parties and such, physical gatherings of people.

The bottom line is, the social aspect is an important concept to video games, and a very positive effect of video game addiction.