Lichfield Cathedral School

Lichfield Cathedral School pupils in Years 8 and 9 held a very lively debate in chapel last Friday where the motion was ‘This house believes that computer games are harmful to young people’.

Cara Brownlee, Kelvin Tse and Edward Chapman spoke in favour of the motion, which was not an easy task given the popularity of games among their audience. They gave some excellent arguments, supported by carefully researched material.

Scott Dawson and Sam Butcher opposed the motion with a plea for understanding by adults before they condemn all games.

Chairman, Tom Newton, directed many interesting and intelligent questions from the floor but the motion was eventually defeated.

Thanks to the quality of the debate, many were left with the conviction that while computer games can provide very good entertainment, they cannot beat the experiences of real life.

A vote of thanks went to Mr Richard Jones, from Buckinghamshire New University, who awarded prizes, and to everyone who sacrificed a sunny lunchtime break to support the debate.