The Debate Over Video Games and Mental Health
Video games are electronic games which involve action to passive games and provide a player with physical and mental challenges. The desire to play such games stems from sense of autonomy or a desire to compete with others that might illustrate why playing video games is so enjoyable and addicting. In the United States, about 97 per cent of adolescent and children spend about one hour per day playing video games. There are vast majority of psychological studies have been conducted to stud the impacts of gaming on children and adolescent (Yoo & Eastin, 2017). The studies were focused on negative aspects like addiction, depression and aggression. The researches were of great importance; however, more balanced perspective towards video games is required which should not only evaluate negative aspects of video games but also the positive ones. Because the nature of these games has changed drastically in the previous decade, becoming increasingly complex, diverse, realistic, and social in nature, it is crucial to consider its possible benefits.
The essay is a presents counter arguments against topic: video games negatively impact the human brain and mental growth among children and adolescents.
There has been much debate over the years about whether video games are somewhat good or terribly detrimental for youngsters. There are various misconceptions concerning playing video games and their impact on mental health. Some believe that video games are harmful for mental strength of children as they spend huge time playing them. Similarly, many perceive that playing video games are useless and pointless as they do not hold any benefits (Brilliant, Nouchi & Kawashima, 2019). People believe that video games include violent games and make the child develop aggressive behavior.
Contrasting the above arguments, there are numerous myths concerning video games and their effects on mental health. Video games, in fact, have numerous advantages, including the development of complicated problem-solving abilities and the promotion of social engagement through online gaming (Benefits of Playing Video Games, 2022). Video games can help people enhance their mental health by stimulating the mind.
It is believed that video games causes mental disturbance in children. People believe that they divert children and adolescent from studies and impact their concentration power and as a result, they perform poorly in academics. However, many studies say that playing video games improves learning in children. Nowadays, video games are used in class rooms by teachers to make the children understand certain topics (Daniel & Garry, 2018). It was observed that teachers saw improved test scores among pupil. Games can be useful as it helps children apply theoretical knowledge into real-life situations. Simulation-style games are used in both medical and military training programs to teach skills and tactics.
Video games have been found to increase human reasoning and problem-solving abilities. They assist in making split-second decisions, processing information faster, and multitasking more successfully. In addition, games can help with hand-eye coordination and audio processing. Video games are famous for making you analyze. Almost each area of your brain is trying to assist one attain higher-level thinking when you play video games (Brilliant, Nouchi & Kawashima, 2019). One may need to analyze, organize, and examine rapidly depending on the game’s difficulty. Playing video games engages deeper areas of the brain, enhancing development and critical thinking abilities.
Misconceptions Surrounding Video Games and Mental Health
Contrary to popular assumption, playing video games develops a variety of cognitive abilities. This is especially true for shooter video games, which are typically referred to as “action” games by experts. The most compelling evidence comes from several training experiments wherein naive gamers (those who have rarely or never played shooting video games) are randomly assigned to play a shooter video game or another form of video game for the same amount of time. Pallavicini, Ferrari & Mantovani (2018) states that Individuals in the shooter video game condition have faster and more precise attention allocation, more spatial resolution in visual processing, and improved mental rotation abilities as compared to control participants.
People believe that addiction of video games can make a person depressed and isolated from the outside world. Children often like to spend more time playing games rather engaging in social interactions. However, this is not true. Contrasting this believe, Playing games, regardless of the style, can help with trauma healing (Stanmore et al., 2017). Pain and psychological stress could be alleviated by playing video games. People suffering from depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder could benefit from video games (PTSD). Online and multiplayer games are excellent for online social connection. One needs to learn who to trust and who to leave behind in fast-paced game environments. Multiplayer modes promote teamwork. It’s also a low-risk setting in which one can practise conversing with and nurturing connections with people (Stanmore et al., 2017).
According to preliminary study, such cognitive benefits are manifested in demonstrable changes in brain processing and efficiency. It has been proved through various researches that video games have the capability to impact human brain in a positive manner. For example: prefrontal cortex is the part of the human brain which is responsible for decision making, cognitive planning and social behaviour. If someone plays video games like Super Mario 64, a game requires pre-planning to win (Ballesteros, Voelcker-Rehage & Bherer, 2018). This part of brain helps the player in planning ahead and analyse in what way to use the objects in real world setting.
Similarly, the right hippocampus is involved in the processing and retention of knowledge, as well as short- and long-term memory. Scientists noticed an increase in this area as well, due to gamers engaging this section of the brain navigating Mario’s world (Aliyari et al., 2018). Likewise, it also impacts cerebellum which helps in accessing information and responding quickly. For example: Mine craft is a video games which includes educational benefits like educating children to use objects, explore environment and problem solving. Also, games like Sincity and Civilization teach people about problem solving on global level (Quiroga et al., 2019). On a more fundamental level, the game emphasises resource management and planning, and it does a good job at teaching these concepts to younger players.
According to Hanghj, Lieberoth, and Misfeldt (2018), children and adolescents develop beliefs about their intelligence and decision-making and problem-solving abilities by playing video games. This encourages them to undertake further risk which impact their achievement and motivation to resolve issues in a positive manner. Video games provide an ideal platform to stimulate motivation among youngsters as they offer players with immediate and concrete results about their abilities. In video games, instantaneous and clear feedback (– for example, scores, tokens, and dead endings in puzzles) helps to reward continued effort and keep players motivated.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that video games do benefit children and adolescent and help in enhancing their mental ability. It is proved that video games does not only impact individuals in a negative manner, however, if used in a correct manner, it holds many benefits. It has the capability to make child creative and intelligent. Video games are similar to traditional games which make children involve in corporative and competitive objectives, players indulge in pretend environment and utilize their cognitive skills in resolving problems. Likewise, there are games which involve multi-player; this develops teamwork and collaboration among them. Thus, it is evident that playing video games is beneficial for cognitive, emotional, social and motivational well-being of people.
References
Aliyari, H., Sahraei, H., Daliri, M. R., Minaei-Bidgoli, B., Kazemi, M., Agaei, H., … & Dehghanimohammadabadi, Z. (2018). The beneficial or harmful effects of computer game stress on cognitive functions of players. Basic and clinical neuroscience, 9(3), 177. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30034648/
Ballesteros, S., Voelcker-Rehage, C., & Bherer, L. (2018). Cognitive and brain plasticity induced by physical exercise, cognitive training, video games, and combined interventions. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 12, 169. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00169/full
Benefits of Playing Video Games Apa.org. (2022). Retrieved 10 April 2022, from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-a0034857.pdf.
Brilliant T, D., Nouchi, R. & Kawashima, R., 2019. Does video gaming have impacts on the brain: Evidence from a systematic review. Brain sciences, 9(10), p.251. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826942/
Daniel, M. & Garry, C., 2018. Video games as culture: considering the role and importance of video games in contemporary society. Routledge.
Hanghøj, T., Lieberoth, A., & Misfeldt, M. (2018). Can cooperative video games encourage social and motivational inclusion of at?risk students?. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49(4), 775-799. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326698208_Can_cooperative_video_games_encourage_social_and_motivational_inclusion_of_at-risk_students
Pallavicini, F., Ferrari, A., & Mantovani, F. (2018). Video games for well-being: A systematic review on the application of computer games for cognitive and emotional training in the adult population. Frontiers in psychology, 2127. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6234876/
Quiroga, M. A., Diaz, A., Roman, F. J., Privado, J., & Colom, R. (2019). Intelligence and video games: Beyond “brain-games”. Intelligence, 75, 85-94.
Stanmore, E., Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., de Bruin, E. D., & Firth, J. (2017). The effect of active video games on cognitive functioning in clinical and non-clinical populations: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 78, 34-43. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28442405/
Yoo, S. C., & Eastin, M. S. (2017). Contextual advertising in games: Impacts of game context on a player’s memory and evaluation of brands in video games. Journal of Marketing Communications, 23(6), 614-631. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13527266.2016.1155074
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