Effects of Video Games—Not Just Wasting Time
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the video games that kids play. One school of thought shows concern that today’s children are spending too much time playing video games and are putting on an unhealthy amount of weight. Another group looks at the amount of violence in many video games and uses the argument that it entices children into becoming violent.
Video games, however, can have many benefits to the children who play them. Today’s video games are sophisticated and require children to think as they play. Planning ahead, working through problems and puzzles and creating a plan of action all help children develop essential skills that will be needed throughout life.
In addition to mental skills, video games help a child increase their fine motor skills. Using a controller requires dexterity and often doing several motions at the same time. This enables a child to develop hand strength and control that will enable him or her to perform tasks such as handwriting better.
Reading is also a part of many video games. Today’s games are story-based and often a child must be able to read the instructions and background story in order to play the game well. This increases a child’s reading and comprehension skills. These skills learned while playing video games will help in other areas of a child’s life.
Video games need not be violent. Much like movies, video games come with ratings that a parent can use to decide whether or not the particular game is suitable for the child who will be playing it. Time playing video games can also be limited by providing toys that get a child up and active.
Video games come in many varieties, from the simplest matching games to complex role-playing games. A child can experience things like flight simulation and designing and growing their own town, zoo or theme park. These thinks help increase logical thinking skills that will give these children an edge as they mature and move onto their adult pursuits,
Adults are finding themselves more attracted to the video games their children are playing. As they learn what a high level of skill is necessary for many of the games, the attraction increases. It is not inconceivable that one day it will be the child who turns off the game and insists the parent find something else to do.