ISU

Video Games: Are They Really as Bad as They Say?

Many people in the world think that they are bad for you, are antisocial, and overall just make you stupid.  “Why not read a book, books make you smart. Playing those games are just going to mush up your brain”, I can already hear some parents saying this to their kids after a long day of school. But video games, like books, both have variety. There are interactive types, learning types, chill types, fast paced, helpful, useless, and everything in between. There are so many kinds of games that you can’t just generalize them all into the same category. I believe that the majority of video games actually improve the brain and have a more positive outcome than a negative one. Positives such as being social, learning, and relief.

Video games are made so that you can sit in a dark room and stay up all night, right? Wrong. People think they are messing with their kids, losing opportunities to grow friendships, but in reality it is the complete opposite. Video games are meant to bring people together and build on relationships. They are some of the only things that can positively take people from all over the world and have them compete or work together in a well-manner. This creates friendships, grows communities, and gives an opportunity to meet people from anywhere in the world. The image to the right shows how gaming connects people to the same place. The blue sky and bright green grass, it’s an open field for everyone to join in. Obviously the internet isn’t always the safest place, but video games create an atmosphere that puts people with the same interests together. Not many people own games just so they can bully people over the internet. They also bring families closer. Families who do things together, whether it be doing a puzzle, watching T.V, or playing a game, tend to have stronger relationships. Now I am not saying this is always the case, but it helps to spend some time with your family. In the photo below, this family is extremely comfortable together, just having a good time. Their smiles and excitement show that their bond is extremely close. Video games are great for them to let loose and have some social activity together. They are meant to be for everyone and anyone, and playing every once in awhile can keep a family stronger than ever. With technology becoming so big, video games are making it so much easier to be social in your own comfort zone.

One of the greatest uses for a video game, is a stress reliever. You come home from school or work exhausted, then you have chores, homework, have to make dinner, and redo the whole process over again the next day. All of this while stressing over if you are going to be able to get all of the things that need to be done, done. Sometimes it’s okay to just stop, forget about it all, and take a break. Play a video game, something soothing or anything to take your mind off of everything. The family in the photo above probably have stuff they should be doing instead of playing, but who cares? They are happy, nothing is worrying them, and they are just enjoying themselves. It is totally okay to do that every once in awhile. You can even get stuff done while playing video games; keeping you active and relaxed. Like the man in the photo below. He is going on a bike ride, but having some fun by playing a game too. So many consoles offer options like this. It all depends on your taste in what kind of game you prefer to play, and how you want to relieve stress. Video games are a great way to take your mind off of reality and focus on something else, something that doesn’t need perfection.

Lastly, I believe that video games are great for a learning experience. This image above shows controllers and all kinds of weapons affecting your brain. But not in a negative way. You could even add things to this image. Add almost anything, because almost anything has been made into a game. But keeping on the photo, shooter games can actually be useful. They can teach about what war is like, except it has its limits. Quicken your reflexes if you are about to get shot in the game, and show you what places are like all over the world. Then there are the puzzle games, the games where you know you are using your brain to try to figure out what the image is, who the killer is, or how this and that are meant to be done. There are the RPG’s, which help improve reading skills, story creation, adventure. All of these games open your mind to creativity, open up possibilities and can lead to great experiences. Who knows, because you went scuba diving in a game, it could lead to you actually taking an interest in scuba diving. They affect life outside of gaming, and can strengthen the way you interact with strangers and family. They teach you the importance in getting to where you want to be; what you are really passionate about. There are so many kinds of games that the possibilities are limitless. Maybe they don’t all teach you in a very noticeable way, but they affect you. Every time you play a game, you learn something new, no matter how often you play it.

In the end, too much of games can still be a bad thing, but isn’t too much of anything a bad thing? A healthy amount of video games lowers stress, forms social game, and does in fact teach you a thing or two. If you are getting something good out of it, why should the tiny bit of bad trounce that? They do have a more positive outcome on your brain and aren’t as negative as what people first think.

Citations

Controller Connection World. iQintel. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

    <http://iq.intel.com/can-video-games-make-you-smarter/>.

Happy Family Having Fun Playing Video Console Games– Stock Image.

    depositphotos. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

    <http://depositphotos.com/6287827/

    stock-photo-happy-family-having-fun-playing.html>.

Man Bikes to Play video Game. PC World. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

    <http://www.pcworld.com/article/114871/article.html>.

"Shooting in the Dark." The New York Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

    <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/science/

    studying-the-effects-of-playing-violent-video-games.html?_r=0>.