Displacement Hypothesis:

Video games have always been a big part of my life. I can remember playing on the game cube with my uncles in the basement when I was a child. These memories are special to me and have followed me to the age I am today. In my daily routine, I always make sure fit video gaming into my schedule. However, that can sometimes replace other important activities. This can be explained by the Displacement Hypothesis. This theory states that any type of media will displace another activity or activities; these could include exercise or social interaction (Bryant and Fondren 2009).

This theory is not bad, neither good. However, studies show that if an individual shows more attention to another activity then they essentially will have to make sacrifices in other areas (Neuman 1995). This is especially important in regards to child development. In my case, by having video games essential to my daily regiment, I have had to sacrifice activities such as social interactions and sometimes academics. Yet, at times I play said video games with “real” friends; in a way having social interactions but behind a screen.

The article Online Communication and Adolescent Well-Being suggests that by using the internet and media as a way to socialize results to weak ties over strong. However, I do not believe this statement. During these COVID times I feel that this online socialization has greatly improved my social ties. Without the internet and media, I feel as if my well being and mental health would have been in worse shape. Socializing and communicating with others is essential to ones well being and without it one could not survive. Although, I cannot go without saying that I enjoy face-to-face interactions more then behind a screen.

Although I may spend more time playing video games and partaking in the media than other activities, this does not hinder my enjoyment of life or make me feel as if I am missing out. As said before, displacement theory is neither good or bad. The only determent is if it changes the function or satisfaction (Lee and Kou 2006).

Resources

Online Communication and Adolescent Well-Being: Testing the Stimulation versus the Displacement Hypothesis; Patti M. Valkenburg and Jochen Peter 2007

Internet and Displacement Effect: Children’s Media Use and Activities in Singapore; Waipeng Lee and Eddie C. Y. Kuo 2006

Literacy in the Television Age: The Myth of the TV Effect; Susan B. Neuman 1995

Displacement effects; Jennings Bryant and Wes Fondren 2009