Taylor Smith
taysmith@lc.edu
Video games have been a target of contention for many years. Of course, when someone does not actually take the time to try them it can be understandable why they are seen in such a negative light. Graphic visuals, inappropriate texts, and how most video game fans in the media are portrayed as unhealthy, disrespectful people who lack the skills they need to get their life on track. However, these portrayals often focus on the negative aspects of this hobby. When it comes to all hobbies, there are both positive and negative aspects and unfortunately society likes to focus more on the negative aspects of the video game hobby than on the positive ones.
Playing video games has been proven to have many positive effects on the brain. In the year 2022 a study completed by the “National institute of Health” found that children who played video games for an average of 3 hours a day performed better in cognitive skills tests that focused on impulse control and memory than children who did not play video games at all. These skills are believed to be enhanced by playing video games, because many video games focus on practicing repetitive tasks that require developing memory skills and using a person’s impulse control to complete the task. However, there is also the argument that people who do well with cognitive challenges are more likely to play video games.
It is not just children who benefit from playing video games either. Many adults who play have also been found to develop better memory, problem solving skills, coordination, focus, and even better social skills. Video games stimulate the brain by impacting the plasticity of the brain. This is the way we humans learn to adapt and change by gaining knowledge. Video games make it easy for people to focus on a task by helping them gain attentional control and the way that people process rewards in their mind. This leads to people feeling more stimulated by the completion of the task which means they can move on to more difficult tasks as time goes by.
These factors cause the outermost layer of your brain to develop more. This outermost layer of the brain is responsible for memory retention, emotional control, and movement. In addition to these skills, video games can positively affect a person’s social skills and abilities. Many video games utilize multiplayer functions which allow people who play them to connect with others, work as a team, communicate with one another, and practice potential leadership skills as well. There is the factor of connecting with characters that can positively affect a person’s social skills. Interacting with characters can help people with poor social skills practice their interpersonal skills in a safe and controlled environment. This in turn can make it easier for them to connect with others in real life.
Video games have been proven to have a positive impact overall when it comes to cognitive, co-ordinational, and social skills. However, it is important to understand that balance is important. Video game addiction is something that is estimated to affect up to 10% of the population. Remember to monitor how much you play, and make sure that playing video games does not interfere with your day-to-day life.
Sources
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-video-games-good-for-you
https://www.jcfs.org/response/blog/video-games-are-social-spaces-how-video-games-help-people-connect
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/are-there-benefits-of-video-games-for-kids
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23124-video-game-addiction
