Nintendo says its new video game system may be hazard to children

By Staff Writer

Video game company Nintendo has released a warning that says its new console can be hazardous to children under the age of 6.

According to media reports, the company issued a statement that said its 3DS video game system delivers 3-D images that can have a potential impact on the development of children's eyesight. Although Nintendo is advising that only young children refrain from using the new product, it also suggests that all users should take breaks from its glasses-free 3-D gaming every 30 minutes.

The company said that the 3DS will be equipped with a parental control feature that allows adults to restrict the console's screens to traditional 2-D images. The new system is scheduled to be released in Japan on February 26 and in the U.S. in March.

In recent years, many parents have expressed concern about the negative repercussions of video games use among children. Aside from the physical effects - such as eye damage or obesity - some individuals believe that problem teens who spend too much time playing video games may be at risk of becoming anti-social or violent.

A 2007 Harris Poll revealed that 8.5 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 18 could be classified as video game addicts.