Electronic exaggerations and virtual worries Mapping research of computer games relevant to the understanding of children ’ s game play

Introduction There can be no doubt that computer games are artifacts with an increasing importance for our culture. Game industry has passed the annual trade of film production and game design is one of the prime movers for the development of information technology leading the way for other sectors. The potentials and properties of this media is something that the growing generation takes for granted. Historically computer games has brought along cultural activities that never has been technically possible before. For instance the possibility to manipulate and interact with people from all over the world in virtual a game space constituted of realistic photographic images. These new activities have been the subject for both expectations and uneasiness. Educators, researchers, designers and parents have raised arguments about what computer games will imply for childhood. There seems to be a strong belief that the use of computer games can contribute to different aspects of children’s development. On the other hand there is an even stronger anxiety that computer games have negative social and cognitive effects on children. Even though this means that there is an obvious need for research around the issue of computer games as a part of contemporary childhood, the academic comprehension in this matter are divided into fragments of knowledge scattered over a field of different discourses and traditions. In this essay we will try to summarize and discuss some findings and arguments about children and computer games. In order to do this we will outline and sketch some of the different empirical findings and research traditions that we find relevant for the understanding of computer games as a part of childhood. The purpose of this is to contribute with an overview that can be utilized as a resource for educators, parents, designers and others who deal with matters concerning children and computer games.