Are Videogames Good For Your Kids? – GameSpew

Children have always loved games, and with the help of technology videogames are more appealing than ever – to children and adults alike.

But does gaming offer a benefit to younger players, or does make them more vulnerable in today’s world? In this matter, Marc Palaus, author of a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience and University of Wisconsin psychologist C. Shawn Green have stated several times that video games can change and develop brain activity. And as we all expect, there are good and bad sides to the argument. Let’s see them all.

Positive Effects of Video Games

Better reactions: Videogames can lead children to become better at problem-solving and seeing a logic solution in different situations. Depending on the genre, certain games can lead to quicker reaction times and faster puzzle solving. Motor functions can also improve, depending on the intensity of the game and on diverse levels.

Better decisions: Many videogames rely on quick responses and are set in high-pressure situations. Becoming used to this may help children respond better when taking exams or needing to respond to random questions in a given time in oral exams. The same goes for their assignments from teachers. Whether a child is working in class or they’ve been asked asked to do an assignment online, playing particular videogames can help them respond quicker and more effectively to the task in front of them.

Better organisation: To finish a level in a game, children need to focus on having the best plan to succeed in the mission. That’s only possible only when they can determine what their priorities are, which option is the best, and what could cause a better result. These situations not only can raise the level of attention and the ability to be a better manager, but kids also will have a better perspective of situations in which they may be.

Multitasking: Being an adult, you may need to do some tasks simultaneously – maybe that means answering the phone and checking edusson.com reviews at the same time for your boss. Multitasking is also important for children, and many types of videogames will aid them in developing skills very useful for multitasking.

Better concentration: When you need to concentrate on your adversary’s moves or you need to focus on some details, you need to keep your eyes wide open to detect any change which may appear. That’s why many children focus better on written tests when they’re familiar with playing videogames – in particular maths, physics and chemistry.

So those are the positive effects. But what about the other side of the argument? What negative effects can playing videogames have on children?

Negative Effects of Video Games

Health: Sadly, if played too frequently, videogames can affect your health. Sitting in front of a screen can affect your sight and cause headaches. Choosing to play videogames rather than doing physical exercise can also cause muscles and joints to be weaker. Like everything else, a balance or a schedule of playing video games can help and eliminate this side effect.

Problems at school: Even if some skills are improved, others will be affected. It’s been known for children to struggle to pay attention to others if they play too many videogames. It can also mean they’ll be less likely to want to do homework or focus on anything other than playing games. This also can go even further, when children refuse to go to school and stay home to finish a game. Of course, this is an extreme scenario, which can be handled by monitoring and limiting the amount of time and access your child has to videogames.

Communication problems: It’s not unheard of for children to struggle with face-to-fact communication when they’re used to playing videogames, or communicating with their friends via in-game chat. A lack of communication can be a real problem for any child who lives only in the virtual world, where face to face discussion doesn’t exist. Being able to effectively communicate is extremely important, so ensure your child is spending time with friends in the real world, not just in videogames.

In conclusion, it’s safe to say that video games can improve a child’s skill level in certain areas, but at the same time, when precautions are not taken, there can also be repercussions. It’s a matter of balancing activities, communicating with your child, and ensuring they remain interested in other activities outside of games. Like all good things in life, videogames are best enjoyed in moderation.