Why Videogames Aren’t Just Games Anymore Have you ever imagined that games like Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Battlefield 4 may actually be beneficial to play? Many people claim that videogames can have negative effects, but recent studies have proven that videogames can actually be beneficial. Early researchers once thought that videogames were harmful, but now many feel that the opposite may be true. Videogames have many positive side effects that outweigh the few negative side effects. When videogames are played, there is an increase in awareness and sensitivity. This has a positive effect on people, because it allows them to multitask and have better reaction times. It also makes people more aware of what's around them. “Cognitive scientists from the University of Rochester have discovered that playing action videogames trains people to make the right decisions faster. The researchers found that video game players develop a heightened sensitivity to what is going on around them,” (University). When people play fast paced videogames, their eyes are constantly scanning the screen for enemies. This fast paced scanning can relate to real life, because it causes people to be more aware of their surroundings. The opposing view states videogames are a leading cause of addiction in children and teens. Keith Bakker, director of Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants, sees a growing problem among young men and boys. "The more we looked at it, the more we saw [gaming] was taking over the lives of kids," (Feature). This claim may be true, but an easy way to eliminate this problem is to set limits on gaming time. Before video game players sit down to play, it is important to designate a time to end the game. Once a time is set, it is impo... ... middle of paper ... ...he Negative Effects of Video Game Addiction." LIVESTRONG.COM. LiveStrong, 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. Colino, Stacey. "Live Right Live Well." Can Video Games Count as Exercise? StudioOne, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. Cultrona, R.L. "Negative Effects of Video Gaming | eHow." eHow. Demand Media, 4 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. Feature, Sherry. "Video Game Addiction." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. Jackson, Linda and Andy Henion. "Video game playing tied to creativity." MSU Today. Michigan State University, 2 Nov. 2011. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. Lewis, Richard. "Want to slow mental decay? Play a video game." Iowa Now. University of Iowa, 5 Jan. 2013. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. "University of Rochester." Video Games Lead to Faster Decisions that are No Less Accurate: Rochester News. n.p., 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
AsapSCIENCE. “Can Video Games Make You Smarter?” Youtube. 10 January 2014. Web. 1 May 2014.
Despite criticisms of video games in the media and among much of the general population, video games have many positive aspects. Walton points out that much of mainstream press tries to put forth the opinion that video games are a plague upon young people (and sometimes even adults) today—blaming such diseases as diabetes and mental issues like sociopathic behavior on video games. Rarely are the positive aspects of games shown—increased hand-eye coordination, development of social problem solving skills, increased attention levels, better collaboration with other students and better grades. (2012)
"Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds." http://www.apa.org. N.p., 13 Nov. 1925. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
Skills and their educational benefits are positive factors of video games, while the detrimental factors include violence and potential addiction. Overall, video games are acceptable to use in moderation, but when one does not have the ability to use it in moderation, it is harmful.
Some people argue that the power in which video games have acquired, are contributing to an increasingly safe and more friendly atmosphere in the United States. Many believe that because of video games, teens now have a safe outlet for their anger. Furthermore, the argument that video games are not bad for your health is also a claim many are making towards the positive effect on teens. Many studies have been done regarding the physical effects of video games on the human mind and body. These and many more arguments all have credible evidence to back it up.
Norcia, Andrea. "The Impact of Video Games on Children." Palo Alto Medical Foundation Apr 2007 20 Mar 2008 .
This being said, it can be proven that advancements come with positive and negative effects. The video games of twenty-five years ago have evolved into something different and in some cases something dark. Research has shown in many cases that video games have negative effects such as: increased aggressive behavior, desensitization, and poor physical heath on adolescents. Many researches also think part of the problem arises because adolescents do not receive enough parental supervision with these games. After discussing these negative effects it will be obvious that more vigilance and regulations are warranted.
Nowadays, video games are frequently accused of having detrimental effects on children and adolescents. The main arguments against video games are that they lead to addiction, that they provoke violence, and that they impair social development. Whether or not such claims are true has not been determined with certainty as scientific studies have produced contradictory results. Nevertheless, video games also have beneficial effects, which tend to be underrated, as they do not receive the same level of media coverage that adverse ones do, and are thus unknown to the general public. Some of the positive effects of playing video games on mental development include: stimulating analytical thinking, improving concentration, and encouraging planning and anticipation (“Video game controversies”).
Sabella, Russell A., “Negative Potential of Video Games.” Education.com. 29 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
Video game play can have both positive and negative effects on children and adolescents, and adults should seek to minimize the negative effects while maximizing the positive effects by staying informed about games and establishing rules about the amount and type of video game play.
Gentile, Douglas A. “Video Games Affect the Brain-for Better and Worse” The Dana Foundation N.p., 23 July 2009 Web. 06 April 2014
In recent years, technology has developed very rapidly. This has led to many arguably both positive and negative changes in our everyday lives. One such change was the increased accessibility of personal computers and gaming consoles as well as the introduction of numerous video games. Due to their entertainment value, these games gained popularity among children and teenagers. Although many concerns have been voiced related to playing video games, especially those that are violent, [e.g., increases in aggressive behavior in children (Anderson & Bushman, 2001)], this paper will argue that certain video games also have beneficial effects. They should thus be played by children, teenagers and adults alike albeit with caution.
Guarini, Drew. "9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You." The Huffington Post.
With the help of the same fundamentals and technology used for video games, schools can change the way our children grasp, and understand the world around us. Children and schools are not the only ones who are able to reap the benefit of gaming. A study from the University of Toronto, lead by Professor Ian Spence, demonstrated that adults are just as easily affected by video games as children. “Playing an action videogame, even for a relatively short time, causes differences in brain activity and improvements in visual attention (“Central Nervous System; Action videogames change brains”).” After studying twenty-five adults, tasked with playing a video game for 10 hours a week, Spencer had learned that those adults did not only have increased
"Video game play may provide learning, health, social benefits." American Psychological Association. February 2014, Vol 45, No. 2