The Vietnam government forces the internet service providers to block the access to online games during 10.00pm to 08.00am. They concerns that their children will get addict to the games that also include games in social networks, such as Facebook. However, the ban is in the start term, it has to take for a while to make the ban completely and effectively implemented.
It is normal to see Internet café open overnight with packed teenagers in Thailand. This does not include those who spend night time playing game online at home as the Internet at home is more easily available than before. It is well known that playing online games is a serious cause to make children addict to. Therefore, I think that the policy to ban access playing online game in appropriate time is really beneficial to children. The time period that is restricted for accessing gaming online (10.00pm to 08.00am) is proper for student. When children go out late at night, their parents may not be aware of where they go or what they are going to do. This can result in many further problems, such as involving in illegal motorcycle racing or even committing juvenile crimes. Moreover, the internet cafés are regularly renovated to be more comfortable; they have very nice and comfortable chairs to serve their customers, so the youngsters are more likely to spend more time there. Therefore, this can make the children become more unhealthy, sitting and eating junk foods there all night. Even though, nowadays, the Thai government has enforce a ban that not allow children less than 18 years old go out after 10.00 pm. But I think that is not the best solution to reduce social problems from them.
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Sorry Berm, but I completely disagree. It is not the government's job to interfere in everyone's personal life for the weak excuse that some people make bad decisions. The majority of game players do not become addicted, and if their parents are happy to let them relax for an hour two before or after they do their homework, they should be allowed to do that.
ReplyDeleteFor the government to take over the role parents is not only immoral, but I think must weaken the whole family structure: instead of parents being responsible for their own children, they will opt out and let teh state run and control what should be one of the most important areas of their life! THis is not good.
I also wonder if there is any evidence to back up the idea that this will help children in any way.
Governments often make up bad excuses to control their citizens. Health, for example, is a popular excuse, one used for controlling cigarattes, alcohol and other drugs, but this is a lie. The real reason is that some people like to have power and control over the lives of everyone else. If the excuse were real, fatty pork, which is very unhealthy, would also be illegal, as would McDonalds, living in Bangkok (the air is not healthy), wine, butter, eggs and so on. There are a lot of unhealthy foods that should be banned if being unhealthy were the real reason for banning things.
And since exercise is definitely healthy, the same excuse would mean that the law should require all people to jog everyday or get some other forced exercise! Perhaps the police should go around and make sure everyone has done the healthy amount of daily exercise or cart them off to prison!
And in case it was not clear, I think the Thai government's ban on being out after 10:00 PM is also immoral and unjust. Again, it's for the parents and 17 year olds to decide, not for their dictatorial government to order them how to live their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your post very much - it's another cheerfully controversial topic to argue about. And very well written, with a clear exposition of the article and your well argued personal response to it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with s_berm, the period time the Vietnam government forces the internet providers to block the access online games is not the time when usually children are connected to internet. It is more the time period when teenagers and adult are connected. Does the Vietnam government want to disguise the target ban? Is the target ban the adolescents and the adults? Moreover, this way to result the addiction to online games is similar as the smokers can not smoke in an airplane during plane flights. The smoker does not smoke during that time but after he smokes like always, he did not stop his addiction. Obviously, the ban to smoke in the airplane flights is realistic, it is to prevent passive smokers to become sick.
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