INTRODUCTION

Today’s world is one that is largely composed of technology. The development in

technology brings many things that people don’t have many years back. One of these things is

online gaming that is provided by the internet. Online gaming refers to games that are played

over some form of computer network, most often the internet. Online games can range from

simple text-based games to games incorporating complex graphics and virtual worlds populated

by many players simultaneously.

Online gaming is one of the widely used leisure activities by many people especially

teenagers. Teenagers who are playing to these online games said that they are playing the games

just for fun and to keep away from the heat of the sun, without knowing that there are a lot of

effects of playing these games that are more than they think. Contrary to the traditional belief

that gaming is merely an addictive source of entertainment and diversion, recent research has

proved that online gaming has numerous benefits. Cognitive type of online games like puzzles

help to indulge one’s brain in constant stimulation, thus improving the brain performance

(Eugenio, 2017). It helps the player to come up with decisions in tight situations, especially those

adventure games that keep the players to be alert, active and strategic. Playing these types of

games makes the player experienced different feelings because it is as if the player is really the

one taking the challenges.

Despite those benefits, playing these games also bring negative effects. It requires much

of player’s time, leaving school activities and home works unattended. Teenagers nowdays no

longer seem to spend their leisure activities like in the olden days; outdoor games or playing with

toys, instead, they spend their free time in their homes, internet cafés or computer shops simply
to satisfy their hunger; and that hunger is online gaming. Online gaming has such a great impact

on not only the teenagers, but dynamically every age group as well.

As in any situation where new technology is introduced, the social impact of the internet

is being looked at. One social problem that has been observed is that the internet café has

become mainly game centers of addiction among the youth. Online gaming has emerged as a

popular and successful source of entertainment and play for people of all ages, especially for the

students. It refers to the games that are played over some forms of computer network, typically

on the internet. These games are played online, in which you can connect with multiple players.

It is normally platform independent, relying on the web browser and appropriate plug-in.