Video Games Do Have Positive Purposes
Shakeem John
Video Games Do Have Positive Purposes Video games are frowned upon by parents (such as mine) as time-wasters, and worse, some education experts think that these games corrupt the brain. Violent video games are easily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some young people become violent or commit extreme anti-social behavior. But in my research I found that video games can actually have many benefits – the main one is making kids smart. Video games do have positive purposes including, creating positive interactive learning, helping children with their self-confidence and self esteem, and being a great stress reliever. Since the early 70’s video games have been given a bad name. Parents’ states that video games spoil the minds of children and are influencing them to be violent. These assumptions are far from the truth. I found that there are many positive effects of video gaming. Some of these effects are in the area of creating positive interactive learning for many children and even adults. Video games can increase skills, creativity, general knowledge, and help with ones memory. (For example, in the area of creating skills and general knowledge, there’s part of the game that puts new information to use increasing contextual and cognition skills. And with memorization the person or persons playing the game is required to memorize the fundamentals of the game in order to advance, giving them the edge over their opponents.) (“Video Games” Smith, pp408) Also, the player expands his or her ability to react fast, with little time. With practice, the player became quicker and more accurate with the movements. What a stress reliever video games can be! It just takes everything off your mind. Regardless, recent studies show that video games may help reduce stress. The mindless activity of punching buttons and watching the screen can effectively take the mind away from stressors and focus energy in a positive direction.
Video Games Do Have Positive Purposes Video games are frowned upon by parents (such as mine) as time-wasters, and worse, some education experts think that these games corrupt the brain. Violent video games are easily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some young people become violent or commit extreme anti-social behavior. But in my research I found that video games can actually have many benefits – the main one is making kids smart. Video games do have positive purposes including, creating positive interactive learning, helping children with their self-confidence and self esteem, and being a great stress reliever. Since the early 70’s video games have been given a bad name. Parents’ states that video games spoil the minds of children and are influencing them to be violent. These assumptions are far from the truth. I found that there are many positive effects of video gaming. Some of these effects are in the area of creating positive interactive learning for many children and even adults. Video games can increase skills, creativity, general knowledge, and help with ones memory. (For example, in the area of creating skills and general knowledge, there’s part of the game that puts new information to use increasing contextual and cognition skills. And with memorization the person or persons playing the game is required to memorize the fundamentals of the game in order to advance, giving them the edge over their opponents.) (“Video Games” Smith, pp408) Also, the player expands his or her ability to react fast, with little time. With practice, the player became quicker and more accurate with the movements. What a stress reliever video games can be! It just takes everything off your mind. Regardless, recent studies show that video games may help reduce stress. The mindless activity of punching buttons and watching the screen can effectively take the mind away from stressors and focus energy in a positive direction.
Cited: Boston, Massachusetts. 4 pp. 2010 Anderson & Bushman