"Read books," Adults say. "No video games!"
Should we really be restricting children from video games? Should adults give up gaming all together?
Reading
I'm not going to say that reading is bad for you, Because it's not. It's a hobby that everyone should have. But over the years reading for pleasure has declined.
But Why?
Because we have so much instant gratification around us. Reading a book seems too time-consuming. Instead of spending a month reading a 400-page novel. We can watch a whole movie in an hour or two. Or we can play a game.
Reading has been around a lot longer than videogames. Is that why people see videogames in such a negative light? Aren't they used to it?
The decline in reading is a different issue all together, But in this post I'm going to address some of the benefits of videogames.
With books, you have to...
- Put more mental effort into storing, understanding that information.
- Reading requires more concentration and attention.
Video games help with Dexterity
Books cannot help with dexterity. But videogames can. This encourages us to think quicker, And make decisions. While reading is more passive. In a game, If your attacking something you may need to quickly press certain buttons to do an attack before your opponent does. This can help in real life. Your reaction speeds will be much faster.
Videogames work like a reward
When someone plays a game, It taps into their rewards part of the brain. The rewards raise their dopamine levels, and they can improve the person mood overall. When you accomplish something in the game, You often feel good about yourself and feel like you accomplished something. This can cause an addiction to game playing. New levels, New equipment. trophies. While these aren't REAL Accomplishments. This can improve a child's self-esteem, When they can beat a difficult level, Or accomplish something in the game.
Videogames teach you to be strategic
Thinking ahead, And planning out what you are going to do with the game and real life are necessary skills. It can allow the person to achieve individual goals quicker. Video games encourage you to use strategy to beat your opponent or to get further into the game. This can be applied outside of a game too!
With gaming, you have to...
- Weigh evidence
- Analyze the situation
- Think of your long term game goals, and make a decision off of that.
You Learn.
So many words that are part of my vocabulary are because I learned them from a game. I learned what Photosynthesis, Disable, Along with a bunch of other words, Just by playing Pokemon growing up.
I feel like Pokemon somewhat taught me about work ethic as well.
At the beginning of the game, You start with nothing but one Pokemon. You have to train, and fight and grow as a trainer. You weren't "given" everything. You had to work for your badges and such.
Video games can teach adults and kids a lot. In a way, you also can learn organizational skills, In the more complex games, which involve lots of items or goods. How to manage them, and what to carry on you in the game.
You don't even have to play one of those lousy educational games to get that benefit. Many games that are for entertainment only teach you a lot.
Kids need videogames
Videogames have benefits too! I'm not saying your kid should play any adult game out there, But a little gaming is healthy. Along with playtime outside. And the reading of course! Adults can play games too! Especially after a stressful day. As long as its not excessive, Gaming should never be a frowned upon activity.
Thank you @elyaque for the awesome Badges
as with everything, you need a good balance.
Playing 12 hours a day won't be good for you body. But neither will be exercising heavily for 12 hours a day.
That's my motto, balance!
So true! I love that.
OMG! I Love this!
I think video games are healthy, the right games for the right ages and right minds.
Just like food tho, they should be enjoyed in moderation and not multiple hour marathons. I am a proud father of a 5 year old and 9 month old and my 5 year old enjoys playing video games with me but he understands the rules and not to get caught up and lost in them.
EXACTLY!
I love that you let them play video games, but not too much! Thats the way to go.
Yes... I agree too, as long as we play video games in good portion and have a time limit to play it. Also the type of game is important. :)
YEs heheh :) Some games are probably not as good as others.
You cant take away video games yet still order everything from amazon. Video games is the advertisements in the window, the true poison the ciggarettes are Amazon, Kardashians, Popular lifestyles. How do you tell your children not to play games while buying your food from amazon with a picture on a screen. #justsayin
EXACTLY Lol. I agree completely.
After reading this post I think I can now go to bed VERY HAPPY. You just made my night and I strongly agree with you that there is a lot you learn from video games. Many of the new adventure games allow one to be a critical thinker, carry out analysis and most of all give out a realistic/relatable results. Too much of Anything is bad....that we know. GREAT POST!!!
Thank you!!!
Heheh I'm glad you are going to bed happy LOL.
I love those adventure games!! Sometimes When I can't afford to travel they give me that since of traveling.
😁😁
Anything is healthy in moderation :D
StarCraft forever
OMG YESSSSSSSSSSSSS Starcraft LOl.
Reading has vastly increased if you are allowed to include interpersonal text communication, online media etc. Young people today actually use text based media vastly more than the previous generation did, and have better grammar, vocabulary and spelling as a result.
And guess what, they also read more books than the older generation:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/12/young-read-more-books-than-older-generation-research
If they're getting the benefits of reading more already, why should we also pressure them into reading for pleasure as well? Let them do what they like for pleasure.
True! I didn't think of the blog posts, Text communication etc that we read on a regular basis.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing that article. I had no idea, The book I read about this, Gave me the impression that reading was becoming less common which seems odd because of kindle apps and such making it easier to carry a library in your pocket.
SO true!! We shouldn't add extra pressure for them to read even more.
In right amounts everything has it's benefits. Video Games too. Though the risk of it evolving into an problem is quite real and can be quite complex.
A followup post maybe? :)
Good idea :) I should do a followup post.
I think it depends on the person on whether it can become a problem. Based on how the individual responds to that kind of thing! I'll need to do some research though for sure.
I can't wait for VR gaming to arrive. It will be insane. Imagine being the quarterback in Super Bowl. Imagine being an astronaut on a space mission. VR will deepen our understanding of the universe, and give us the opportunity to participate in a porn movie. Thats a sell out.
OMG me too!! That sounds so amazing! The porn movie, Would be a bit awkward. I've seen some of those machines they are making XD But hey, It might control population growth. haha.
VR might also help with obesity . All those fun working out games, where you can run through a jungle.
Yes! Very true, it will be insane! I've heard on a podcast that they are working on a VR game where you watch the earth from the space. Crazy huh? Not cray enough, because they also want you to go into a float tank. A float tank is where you are weightless due to the salt in the water. That would be crazy. I would love to try that. I believe the next five years will bring a lot of interesting stuff.
I let all 3 of my children play video games from the moment they first shown interest. Each of them were reading and typing at a 5th grade level before they were in school.
Years later they even became better at typing than me. And my oldest knows the basics of programing and computer repair( he's 10 btw)
I LOVE THAT!
Your kids sound so gifted!
I really admire that, when kids are so talented at such a young age.
It has been proven that Tetris can make you smarter.
Really? Maybe thats why I'm fairly smart. I LOVE Tetris! Something about those blocks haha.
You and both :)
Awesome hehe I"m glad people still like Tetris.
I'm filled with envy at that sweet sweet $.37 post launch value...
Hahah! Yeah! I"m way excited about it !!
Video games are not good for you. They are purely a waste of time. The whole problem with the youth is escapism. They cant accept their reality. The only reason parents give their kids video games is because they are to lazy to watch them. Video games are a work of Satan.
I wouldn't go as far as work of Satan. I don't even believe in that kind of silly stuff.
But I agree that too much can be harmful. But a little bit is healthy.
Yeah I do think they are a waste of time, but everyone needs leisure. Also not sure if you are joking about the Satan thing but that's a bit stupid
Yes! They can be a waste of time. But yeah like you said Shamic, You can't just work 24/7 and even videogames have benefits.
Stupid is mindlessly sitting infront of a tv sceen and not contributing to society...thats stupid.
Also when kids are shooting up eachother in a form of simulation, memorizing all the different types of weapons there are, and dropping bombs on their enemy...What do you call that? Oh yea...Satan...
Really? from what I've read there isn't actually much you can pin on satan. The worst I've read, is he made Job have boils on his feet, and he has decieved people. that's about it. People have done far worse than that. Video games are a human creation. Any "evil" in that is man made, satan has nothing to do with it.
Thank you, you proved my point. "But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
Wait I'm confused. Are you saying that Satan is behind video games, or people are?
Nice Post! I think for the most things its a matter of how. Almost everything can be benefitting but everything needs to be enjoyed in moderation! Followed btw =P <3
Based on the idea that they use video games in the military for combat training. I would say we need to question the idea of video games.
“Virtual Battlespace 2” (or VBS2) As of 2012, the game was still being used for Basic Combat Training scenarios. It teaches land nav, combat scenarios, and platoon-level group strategies. I believe too much video games is a one way ticket to ADD. In the military Video games are called "Simulations." Too much. Too long. Not good.
I think so the video games with a moderate use are healthy and good to learn a lot of things.
For example, I began to learn english with video games not with school class, even so with Pokemon Red of Game Boy haha.
Good post @Kaylinart !
So true! Pokemon helped you learn English? Thats amazing!
Yeah... also Final Fantasy VII haha
It's fine in moderation obviously, but a lot of people don't do it in moderation. I think movie watching, games and social media are being used too much at the moment and are causing some problems.
True! It's something that a timer should be set for, So there isn't any "overdoing" it.
I always feel bad about spending too much time on video games. Now I feel much better after i read your article. thanks. lol it's time for more Clash Royale!
It would be unhealthy for me to deny myself from some gaming :) Great read!