6 Surprising Benefits of Video Games for Kids

The ways and places of entertainment are changing as technology develops, which may make you consider the advantages and disadvantages of video games. In the past, our parents hardly had video game opportunities, only in amusement parks. But today, every child may have a video game console (such as PS, XBOX, etc.), or they definitely have a tablet or smartphone to play with! Since the benefits of video games will change your mind about it. 

Are They Good for Kids?

While every parent is worried about the disadvantages, it is worth mentioning that video games are not always full of disadvantages; rather, surprisingly, many advantages there! Video games have great potential besides their entertainment value. There has been noteworthy success when games are designed to address a specific problem or teach a particular skill (1). All you need to do as a parent is to research the right games.

Advantages of Video Games for Children:

1- Are video games good for your brain? There are long-lasting positive effects of video games on basic mental processes–such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making. (2)

2- Why would we want to limit a kid’s computer time? The computer is, without question, the single most important tool of modern society (3). The more they play, the more they learn about the computer world! Plus, there are educational benefits of video games as well.

3- Most video games require players to move fast, track several things at once, hold quite a few information in their mind at once, and make quick decisions (2). This is exactly how you can improve your child’s intelligence.

4- Video games cause participants to become excited and produce a whole host of confounding variables such as motivation and individual skill (1). If you think your child is not much good at individual activities, don’t limit them with video games.

5- Video games enable them to interact with other children who play the same game since it creates a natural environment for them to talk and play together much more easily. At school, there are always other children who share a passion for video game play (1). This is when your children can be more sociable by just playing games and having fun.

There are undoubtedly disadvantages of video games, such as damaging effects on kids’ souls, eyesight problems, etc. Still, you can certainly control these things by making a plan for having video games to play. For example, let them play 2 hours per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. This way, you let them benefit from video games and make them have a healthy time sitting and enjoying.

References

1. Griffiths, M. (2021). Benefits of videogames – IREP – nottingham trent university. http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15272/1/187769_5405%20Griffiths%20Publisher.pdfRetrieved October 10, 2021, from http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15272/1/187769_5405%20Griffiths%20Publisher.pdf  

2. Gray, p. (2015). Blog archives. Mountain Laurel Sudbury School. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.mountainlaurelsudbury.org/blog/archives/02-2015.html  

3. Gray, P. (2018, May 4). The many benefits, for kids, of playing video games. Unschooling Dads. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://unschoolingdads.com/many-benefits-kids-playing-video-games