The access to virtual worlds allows people to explore sides of their personality and themselves that they can’t in real life, for fear of rejection or consequence. Sherry Turkle explains this in her article “Who Am We?” in which she explores the virtual worlds known as MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons). Not only does this virtual world allow people to become authors, since that are creating their own characters and worlds, but it also can give a muted group a voice by allowing them to portray themselves as someone with power. Turkle also explains the benefit of improving oneself through MUDs because you can practice interacting with others and becoming effective at it. Although I have come across discussions about how these virtual worlds allow children to express and explore themselves freely, I have come to question the dangers of allowing them to do so.
Turkle discusses Erik Erikson’s idea that “play” helps us build our identity but at what point do we know when to stop? If children are encouraged to use these programs as a form of expression and exploration they may become too obsessed and absorbed in the game because let’s face it, a world that we can make up and have endless possibilities with is going to be better than our real life. Turkle states that “people can get lost in virtual worlds” (13). If we allow children to get absorbed in these worlds then they may spend more time constructing their virtual lives then living their real one. What is your opinion? Do you believe that these virtual worlds could be more harmful then beneficial?
