The Positive Effects of Video Games
So I've looked a lot into the possible negative side effects of playing video games, but are there any positive ones? What are they?
An article by the American Psychological Association says in their article "Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits Review Finds" that playing video games can improve "cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception", along with problem solving skills, and ward off anxiety.
Another article, "9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You" by Drew Guarini, also mimics this idea, linking a study, which you can find here. It says that a group of young adults were asked to play the game Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes every day for two months, comparing to a control group who played more video games, the people who played video games daily had more grey matter in their "right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum — areas of the brain responsible for spatial navigation, memory formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills in the hands."
Now while studies are great, and can help link positive effects of video games, I think there needs to be a mention of just simple, first hand accounts of what video games can do for people. It sounds sappy, and may make me seem biased, but I honestly don't think many people who think video games are this great evil understand just how meaningful games can be.
You'll find thousands of similar stories online, but my personal experience is particularly with the game Skyrim. It was an incredibility difficult time of my life, I had lost my home, my mother was sick, and I had started high school with no friends. I found the game Skyrim, a role playing game, typical fantasy type game, and was immediately hooked. It made me feel strong when everything else around me I had no control over. I felt at home and peaceful with the beautiful scenery and music.
I now am still playing it 5 years later, my first tattoo is a Skyrim tattoo on my wrist. This game also inspired me for my dream career, to be a concept artist for games similar to Skyrim. I get emotional just thinking about this game. I'm not the only one. Ask anyone who loves video games, and they can tell you the same thing. There are stories upon stories of people saying the same thing.
Everything is good in moderation, same is applied here. Video games, even violent ones can help you make friends, find people with similar interests and passions, make you feel safe, brave, passionate and loved. They are great for creativity or emotional outlets. Whether you feel peaceful and play a game like Animal Crossing, or feel like being scared and play Silent Hill, video games are a form of art that can help people, bring people together, and help people express their feelings.
Don't knock it till you try it.
An article by the American Psychological Association says in their article "Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits Review Finds" that playing video games can improve "cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception", along with problem solving skills, and ward off anxiety.
Another article, "9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You" by Drew Guarini, also mimics this idea, linking a study, which you can find here. It says that a group of young adults were asked to play the game Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes every day for two months, comparing to a control group who played more video games, the people who played video games daily had more grey matter in their "right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum — areas of the brain responsible for spatial navigation, memory formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills in the hands."
Now while studies are great, and can help link positive effects of video games, I think there needs to be a mention of just simple, first hand accounts of what video games can do for people. It sounds sappy, and may make me seem biased, but I honestly don't think many people who think video games are this great evil understand just how meaningful games can be.
You'll find thousands of similar stories online, but my personal experience is particularly with the game Skyrim. It was an incredibility difficult time of my life, I had lost my home, my mother was sick, and I had started high school with no friends. I found the game Skyrim, a role playing game, typical fantasy type game, and was immediately hooked. It made me feel strong when everything else around me I had no control over. I felt at home and peaceful with the beautiful scenery and music.
Everything is good in moderation, same is applied here. Video games, even violent ones can help you make friends, find people with similar interests and passions, make you feel safe, brave, passionate and loved. They are great for creativity or emotional outlets. Whether you feel peaceful and play a game like Animal Crossing, or feel like being scared and play Silent Hill, video games are a form of art that can help people, bring people together, and help people express their feelings.
Don't knock it till you try it.
Comments
Post a Comment