Video games are a big part of many people’s lives these days. They have been around for decades and it is hard to imagine a world without them.
Video games can be very entertaining, but they also come with some drawbacks that may not be so obvious at first glance.
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of video games to help you decide if they are right for you!
Gaming is a powerful tool that has the ability to positively impact an individual’s life.
It can also improve decision-making abilities by giving participants improved hand/eye coordination.
In this day and age, there are so many options out on the market in terms of gaming systems available.
It’s no wonder people everywhere have been picking up their controllers and inviting friends over for some fun time at home!
Gaming isn’t always seen as a positive thing, however, most individuals will agree that these games come with loads of benefits such as:
- Better Decision Making
- Enhance Your Ability To Learn
- Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
- Improved Focus and Attention
- Among Many Others…
Below you can find examples of products to get you started, and what they normally cost.
Gaming Desktop Tower
Starting at $190
Gaming Laptop
Starting at $950
Gaming Monitor
Starting at $250
Is Playing Video Games a Waste Of Time?
The short answer is no.
Video games are not a waste of time because they can be very entertaining and provide competition for us to rank against our friends, which in turn keeps us motivated.
Some people might say that video games are just as bad for you as television or movies, but research has shown this not to be the case.
The reason why people say that video games are bad for you is because gaming can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.
However, if your goal is to spend the day sitting in front of a screen then this would be true regardless of what you are watching or playing on that screen!
If video games do become an issue for someone and it’s negatively impacting their social life, work performance, schoolwork, etc.
Then they should seek help from a professional.
There are people trained specifically for working with those who have gaming addiction issues.
However, many studies show that there may not even be such thing as “gaming addiction” at all.
Nevertheless, there are always pros and cons to everything, let’s dive a little deeper into this topic.
What are the Pros and Cons of Video Games?
5 Reasons Why Gaming Is A Great Hobby.
There are so many people who have made negative comments about your favorite hobby.
specifically, people think that games are too violent and ineffective in building or strengthening the mind of a person.
However, this is untrue.
The time where video games were only played by kids is over, in fact, most gamers nowadays range from 34 to 36 years old.
It does not only help pass the time but also strengthens memory!
There’s nothing wrong with video gaming as it can be both entertaining and nowadays even a possible way to make money.
1. Video Games Make You More Imaginative.
Imagination is a powerful thing.
Sure, it may not seem like such a big deal when you’re driving to work or cooking dinner, but the truth is that with imagination there are no limits, especially for video games.
Video Games allow players to experience and explore worlds they would never see in their lifetime.
It’s about what you choose to do with your time!
For example, You can use your time wisely by spending it on an educational game or spend hours playing PlayStation’s exclusive newest release just for the fun of it.
With an endless number of games, many present new and creative concepts.
It’s not all mindless shooting (although those provide their own positive effects), but there are actually a lot out there that really puts your creativity to the test.
2. Video Games Help You To Focus.
Young people have a different approach to life than previous generations did.
They are so used to instant gratification that they can’t focus on anything for more than 15 minutes at a time.
Gaming is one of the few activities where you need full immersion and an attention span larger than 3 seconds in order to succeed.
A game is a high-stakes distraction that’s impossible to ignore.
The gaming world is vast with endless opportunities, you just need to be able to focus or risk losing your bearings in this digital wonderland.
Because if you’re not paying attention, you’ll simply lose the game, and no one plays to lose.
Gaming teaches you how to focus on one thing at once, in fact, gaming is one of the only things that still require you to focus fully on the task at hand.
You cannot scroll through your phone or half-pay attention, because it demands full immersion.
3. It’s a Great Way to Hone Your Problem-Solving Skills.
It is easy for teenagers to get their hands on any type of gaming console in today’s world.
But why should they? Gaming can actually be a major way in which you learn and improve your problem-solving skills!
This may come as no surprise, given how often we use them.
But these skills are not just helpful for games, they’re also important when looking at future careers too!
Believe it or not, being able to solve problems quickly and efficiently is one of the “skills” employers look for.
Problem-solving skills are essential for any student who is aiming to be successful in life.
However, as we grow older our natural problem-solving ability decreases and that can lead us into problems that may require complex solutions.
Luckily there is an easy fix! Spending just one or two hours per week playing your favorite game, will keep those skills fresh and help you find the perfect solution when it counts most.
Problem-solving requires logic, critical thinking, deduction skills, and a host of other important abilities like logical reasoning.
The puzzles presented in various video games help develop the form of intelligence necessary to solve problems in real life.
4. Video Games Improve Hand-Eye Coordination and Reflexes.
Video games are an excellent way to train your reflexes and improve hand-eye coordination.
In shooter games, for example, people are able to train their reflexes and improve hand-eye coordination.
One way they do this is through shooting games like or Call of Duty or Fortnite, where you have to be alert at all times, because there’s always a chance that an enemy will come from around the corner and start firing shots your way before you’re ready for it.
To combat this quickly yet intelligently, gamers need fast reflexes as well as quick-thinking skills.
Your reflexes will need to be fast and critical judgment must be made in a matter of seconds, don’t just shoot anyone or anything that pops up on the screen.
Make sure to look closely at what’s coming towards you, it might be your teammate.
The decision-making process needs to be quick and effective, I’m talking in a matter of seconds.
Not having quick enough reflexes, can make the difference between losing or winning a game.
5. Video Games Promote Healthy Brain Function.
Strategy games are a great way to keep your brain flexible and agile, as it needs training just like anything else.
A study found that those who play strategy video games can perform cognitively demanding tasks better than they could before playing the game.
Scientists have found that strategy video games are a great way to train and exercise your brain, being able to think strategically will help you be less stressed at work or in life.
It turns out that video games that rely on flexing your strategic muscle also train the part of the brain responsible for cognitive flexibility, as well as creative problem-solving.
This type of mental fluidity tends to degrade over time.
So it’s great having something like this around, that you can perform and enjoy regardless of age, which can counteract the natural decline of our minds.
What Are The Disadvantages of Gaming?
1. Personality Changes
Gaming can lead to a loss of motivation, and if it’s not played in moderation, children might become introverted or violent.
They may also lose interest in their environment because they’re so focused on the screen instead.
This will affect them greatly as an individual because they never go out and talk with other people.
This underdeveloped personality is reflected throughout all aspects of life, it can impact relationships or school performance.
Children who spend hours on games without moderating themselves could develop symptoms such as becoming anti-social, losing interest in what surrounds them, including socializing.
2. Lack Of Interest In Other Activities
Playing video games can be both a hobby and an addiction.
While video games can be fun, over-spending time on them will make it difficult to learn new things, or enjoy outdoor games with friends.
An avid gamer always thinks of gaming first, which puts other important activities such as studying or playing sports at risk.
Playing video games for too long might mean sacrificing other hobbies and opportunities like reading books, cooking dinner together with family, going out into nature, etc.
3. Poor Health.
Video games have become a staple of modern-day life, but too much screen time can be hazardous to your health.
Spending hour after hour in front of the TV or computer may cause you to forget important tasks like drinking water and eating food, not exactly healthy habits for anyone!
Too much screen time can also lead to laziness and weight gain.
4. Video Games Can Cause Bad Eyesight and Insomnia.
It is important to stay back from the computer or television, as this can lead to myopia causing blurry vision.
Playing video games for extended periods of time affects our eyesight, and makes sleeping difficult at night.
Studies have shown some concerning results about those who spend too much time looking closely at their computers or televisions.
The more screen time people receive from a close distance, the higher chance they have of developing myopia.
5. Violent Behavior
It’s so important to be careful of what games your children play.
As video games might have an adverse effect on them, be sure you are educated about these potential effects and choose appropriate games before handing over the controller!
A recent study found many young gamers who played violent video games were less self-controlled than those who didn’t, and more emotional after playing such a game.
Not everyone feels that video game violence is appropriate for its younger audience.
Concerning this issue, some people believe it is better if you choose games for both yourself and your child.
By spending time playing with your kid, you’ll be able to have a better perception of how a certain game affects them.
Rather than allowing them to have all the power when deciding what game to buy next.
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