12 | Are video games unhealthy?
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Are video games really unhealthy for us humans? Generally, the one's who really hates video games are the parents as they think that video games are bad as time-wasters, and worse, some education experts think that these games corrupt the brain. Playing violent video games are easily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some young people become violent or commit extreme behavior that is frowned upon by the society. But many scientists and psychologists find that video games can actually have many benefits. It can even make kids smarter. Video games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills that they will need in the future.
According to my research, “Video games change your brain,” according to University of Wisconsin psychologist C. Shawn Green. Playing video games change the brain’s physical structure the same way as do learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating using a map. Much like exercise can build muscle, the powerful combination of concentration and rewarding surges of neurotransmitters like dopamine strengthen neural circuits that can build the brain. There are several good and bad effects of video games. Follow me if you want to know more.
The Good Effects
1. It makes kids follow instructions because in every game, there are tutorials and rules that the kid has to follow in order to become better at the game.
2. There are a lot of problem solving and logic in video games. When a child plays a game, say for example as superman, angry birds, or even as his favorite anime character, he trains his brain to come up with creative ways to solve puzzles and other problems in short bursts
3. Their bodies are being accustomed to Hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills. In shooting games, for example the character may be running and shooting at the same time. This requires the real-world player to keep track of the position of the character, where he/she is heading, his speed, where the gun is aiming, if the gunfire is hitting the enemy, and so on. All these factors need to be taken into account, and then the player must then coordinate the brain’s interpretation and reaction with the movement in his hands and fingertips. This requires a great deal of eye-hand coordination and visual-spatial ability to be successful. Research also suggests that people can learn iconic, spatial, and visual attention skills from video games. There have been even studies with adults showing that experience with video games is related to better surgical skills. Also, a reason given by experts as to why fighter pilots of today are more skillful is that this generation’s pilots are being weaned on video games.
4. They become more accurate. Action games, according to a study by the University of Rochester, train the player’s brain to make faster decisions without losing accuracy. In today’s world, it is important to move quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
There a lot more positive effects when playing video games. But let's now head on to the negative effects.
The Bad Effects
1. Children become more aggressive. Most of the bad effects of video games are blamed on the violence they contain. Children who play more violent video games are more likely to have increased aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
2. Obesity. It’s estimated that roughly one-third of the world's population are obese, and this is largely blamed on bad diets and sedentary lifestyles. In some cases, we can thank video games for that.
3. Poor Grades. Many parents suspect that kids who spend significant amounts of time playing video games may not be devoting enough time to school work. There are attention problems as most kids would rather finish a game than finish a homework.
4. Attention problems. Kids who actively play video games are prone to attention problems, may it be at home when it comes to talking with the parents, or in school when it comes to paying attention in class.
But let's look at the bright side because, like every thing in the world, everything has it's negative effects. It's just that you should do everything with MODERATION. And video games are no exceptions. Just make sure to keep and eye on your child and both of you will learn that life is worth living when both of you concentrate and work, but also not forgetting to let loose and have fun.
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