Online Gaming: From Teacher to Student
Because of issues like violence in video games and withdrawal from society, many people criticize online gaming. Nevertheless millions of people play them every day, from children to teenagers to adults, even teachers like Joseph Calaba.
According to Calaba, a history teacher, video games allow people to discover new experiences and to be part of a community. “The fact that it is a team activity that you have to coordinate through is fun. Plus, it’s not just a singular demographic,” said Calaba. “I often play with kids younger than high school to people that are twice my age, and we are all trying to do one thing together. The communal nature of it is pretty cool.”
Calaba was introduced to online gaming in 2006 by an old girlfriend who liked to play the game World of Warcraft. “I started playing and at first I thought, ‘oh this is kind of lame.’ I didn’t really like it,” Calaba said. However, as time went on and Calaba connected with others in the game, it began to grow on him.
Since then, Calaba has been hooked, playing all different kinds of games. According to Calaba, one of the best components about online gaming is the connections and friendships that are made. “When you’re playing a certain aspect, you find the community that likes to do that thing, so I got into the (groups) that focused on that.” While Calaba admits that most people he knows don’t play video games, he maintains he has made new friends through online gaming. “I have met people online, and some of them I’ve known for years. So yeah, I do have friends online, some of whom I’ve actually met (in person), some of whom I’ve just kept through playing,” Calaba said.
Kevin Bonanno, freshman, agrees that online games can help people to connect with others. According to Bonanno the best part of online games is “the way that you meet people. I like how you can meet people and sometimes they become really good friends to you later,” Bonanno said.
But Calaba also warns that online games can have the opposite effect for some people, drawing them away from their real lives in favor of their digital ones. “The downside is you start to base your free time around your computer time,” Calaba said. He likens them to casinos in Las Vegas, trying to pull people in and keep them playing. “Casinos have lights and bells and whistles, when you pull a slot machine and win money there’s a certain sound the coins make, when you win an award things go off and it makes you feel special.” Calaba said. “The (online) games do the same thing.”
Others who play online video games agree on the danger of addiction. Daniel Milman, junior, recalls that there are times when he pours large amounts of time into video games. “I realize that I’m not doing anything but playing the game. I go straight home, I play the game, I don’t do homework. And it gets to the point where you realize how ridiculous it is,” Milman said.
While many emphasize the dangers and drawbacks of video games, for those like Milman, they are a beneficial and a fun way to connect to others. Milman said online games have helped him to make new friends. “Without video games I wouldn’t be the person I am today, honestly,” Milman said.
