Are computers affecting our health?
There are several health concerns being raised as technological advances mean we spend more time playing on computers, watching TV and using our mobile phones to talk, text and play games.

Our bodies
Levels of obesity are rising and are especially worrying amongst young children but this isn’t just an issue about what we eat. As a nation of couch potatoes are we sacrificing our health by only exercising our fingers and thumbs?

Our brains
Research into the effects on the human brain of playing computer games is ongoing. Recent studies have looked at the impact on beta brainwave activity, which is important for emotional progression, planning and self-control. Mori has been conducting research into this area but as their report findings have yet to be published it would be wrong for us to draw any conclusion. There are many things that may affect the levels of beta brain activity, like fatigue, so researchers that proclaim with authority that playing computer games stunts brain growth have had their claims dismissed because of the lack of published evidence. Cautious parents who are worried by the lack of research but don’t want to spoil their children’s fun could monitor the time they spend on the computer.

Communication
As leading computer game consumers, are we spending too much time in front of computers? What effect does this have on our lives? Does it matter that we spend less time communicating and interacting with other people?

It certainly seems that children today are spending more time indoors than their parents did when they were little. Children used to regularly play in the street or in parks. Today, empty parks symbolise how 'play time' has changed because of advances in affordable technology like home computers. What effect will this have on our society?

Do a language activity