Are Video Games Good For Children?

Video games have seen a tremendous rise since the last decade. New and advanced games with high graphics have been introduced to the world of gaming. For example, the introduction of Virtual Gaming has seen a huge revolution in the domain of gaming.

Video games have a lot of benefits for children. Firstly, it improves motor skills and improves concentration. Furthermore, it helps spark creativity and imagination. Research has shown that gaming also improves memory. It is an excellent way to spend leisure time and can result in good bonding between friends. Some games might improve kids' hand–eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Video games that require kids to actually move or manipulate the game through their own physical movement can even get sedentary kids moving — but not as much as if they actually played outside or participated in sports. Other games don't have such benefits, and violent video games have been shown to increase kids' aggressive behavior.

Alternatively, we should not forget about the downsides of gaming for children. The brains of children are not fully matured at such a young age and it can fall prey to the gaming addiction. In most cases children are spending most of their time playing games instead of doing their studies. Thus it has affected their academic results significantly. Besides that the games nowadays are more hard to resist because they are designed in such a way that we are hooked into playing all the time. Namely the introduction of rewards and unlocking of new levels has made the games more tempting. Above all, the modern day kid is spending more time in front of a TV playing games than playing outdoor sports. This has resulted in increase in obesity and other mental disorders.

So yes, video games are actually good for you on many levels. Of course, we must add, like anything, to maintain such benefits, games should be consumed in moderation. Staying up all night, every single night, to fight off zombies? Maybe not the best thing for your health.

Video games have both their own benefits and shortcomings. It is how many hours children spend playing games that will make the difference.