Video Games and Young Gamers: Benefits, Harms, and Impacts

This essay examines the multifaceted effects of video games on young gamers, delving into both their potential benefits and associated harms. The paper explores the cognitive development fostered by video games, highlighting improvements in cognitive function, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination. It also investigates the role of gaming in mental health, including its potential to alleviate anxiety and depression, and its use in treating certain mental disorders. Furthermore, the essay addresses concerns regarding aggression and addiction, critically assessing the long-term impacts of video game engagement. The essay draws on various research studies and expert opinions to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between video games and young people, offering insights into their impact on cognitive abilities, mental well-being, and behavioral patterns. The paper also discusses the use of video games as a therapeutic tool and the implications of gaming habits on sensorimotor skills and social interactions. Finally, it concludes by summarizing the positive impacts of video gaming on various aspects of human development, including retention, cognition, and mental health.

Running head: VIDEO GAMING
Video Gaming
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Author Note:

1Video Gaming
Video games are, to address the dictionary meaning, interactive games that are played by
electronic gaming devices and or computer television or mobile phones and it comes with
graphic, live like images and is a microchip- controlled device with high video and audio
resolution and are essentially regarded as handheld toy. These are extremely popular among
the children and the teenagers. Approximately, 97% of the students of America are involved
with video games. The first video games came into the market during 1970s and could be
played by connecting a game box installed with cartridges with the television. The children
could play the game with a joystick manipulating that manually. Some initial gaming
companies are Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Game Cube and Nintendo.
The trend of gaming started in the United States gradually got spread around the world.
Videos game are tailored to appeal to the teenagers and children and generally adheres to
their fantasy world. This works like stress buster for them letting them to escape from their
daily life routines and gives them to increase and expand their imagination. It also gives them

2Video Gaming
Teenagers are now increasingly getting addicted to video games and it us viewed that
in America 97% of the students are involved with the habit of video gaming. It is usually
believed that, this gaming habit has long term affect and the children become more
aggressive once becoming adult. It is believed that playing video games create a knack
among the children for the outdoor games like basketball, skateboarding and tennis ("15
Surprising Benefits of Playing Video Games", 2019). However, another belief is that video
games cause mental and physical disorders among the children, though, such knowledge
lacks proper scientific reasoning (Game Designing, 2019). Another contrasting view is that
playing video games increases the intellectual competency, enhance the cognitive
understanding among the children, reduce their depression, anxiety and help with the
treatment of mental disorders. It also increase their hand-eye co-ordination.
The youngsters are often viewed with development in their cognitive behaviour which
is clearly an outcome of the gaming activities of the children. It also helps in the exercising of
brain. Like reading or playing instruments, the gaming activity alters the understanding of the
brain and the required concentration to play the games gradually shape the brain increasing
the dopamine or enhancing the natural brain circuits and other neurotransmitters (Tumbokon,
2018). Researches have proved that neurogenesis that is the growth of the neurons spatial
orientation of the brain, strategic planning and memory formation, all these are influenced by
the gaming habits. Therefore, the habit of playing games improve the level of cognition and
better their academic abilities (Bergland, 2013). The modern day video games are more
graphically enhanced and highly complicated and come with an approach of pro-social
behaviour since the players need to save lives or the society from the bad guys or the evil
people. The games also need complicated skills to play and the understanding to solve the
puzzles or to plan out strategies. The games involve problem-solving attitude and
brainstorming (Chikhani, 2016). All these constitute and enhance their memorisation power.

3Video Gaming
Certain studies have shown that the gaming habit among the elders have a positive
contribution to their understanding, cognition, retention and it enhances their memory ("15
Surprising Benefits of Playing Video Games", 2019).
Researches have proved that playing video games can also be helpful in the treatment
for the patients suffering from mental disorders like Alzheimer’s, PTSD or Schizophrenia
(Coopers, 2018). Further, studies have shown that elderly people with gaming habits have a
better mental health condition since their retention and cognition power is exercised regularly
and the increased. A research done by the East Carolina University has illustrated that a
regular habit of gaming reduces the tendencies and chances of anxiety, stress and depression.
Further, it is proved that PTSD can be treated through the habits of video gaming. Moreover,
researches have also shown that certain video games like the Angry Birds or Tetris can cure
depression and take the place of anti-depressants. (Cooper, 2018). In many cases, the doctors
use the video gaming activities to aid the dyslexic patients and other mental disorders. Thus,
the orientation towards the gaming activities are gradually changing. In New Zealand, they
had launched a game called SPARX, which appeared to be more effective than the
counselling programmes (Game Designing, 2019).
Studies demonstrate that computer games upgrade work execution, explicitly for
occupations that require great eye-hand coordination, outstanding working memory, and fast
basic leadership (Dark Ph.d, 2015). An investigation demonstrates that players who were
occupied with quick paced amusements were 25% faster in addressing inquiries regarding a
picture they had seen instead of non-players ("15 Surprising Benefits of Playing Video
Games", 2019). An investigation from the University of Toronto proposes that individuals
who, at times play activity computer games like Call of Duty are increasingly equipped for
adapting new sensorimotor errands, improve deftness than those individuals who don't play
video amusements. Sensorimotor abilities incorporate errands, for example, figuring out how

4Video Gaming
to ride a bicycle or composing and it is clear that having great sensorimotor aptitudes are
critical in innovation (Burks, 2014). Furthermore, the outcomes showed that having computer
games could conceivably be impact of medications or composing for individuals who have
poor dexterity or sensorimotor abilities. For individuals with poor dexterity, for example,
people with chemical imbalance, playing computer games would be vital for them so as to
grow new abilities (Integrated Learning Systems, 2018). An investigation shows that
imparting space to various players can bring about expanding social connection for those
with mental imbalance. Playing computer games may likewise improve balance in
individuals from numerous sclerosis. There are numerous callings that require the person to
have great hand-eye coordination, for example, being a specialist. There are many hopeful
specialists who need to perform virtual medical procedures in their preparation (Game
Designing, 2019) .Furthermore, it is suggested that activity computer game play has a more
noteworthy advantage than latently watching a screen.
Therefore, as a concluding note, it can be stated that the habits of video gaming has
positive impact on the people. It enhances the retention and cognition power of the gamers. T
has also proved to be useful for the people with mental disorders and proves to be more
useful than counselling. The gaming activity improves the skills of the brain which is not
increased by the curriculum of the school.

5Video Gaming
References:
15 Surprising Benefits of Playing Video Games. (2019). Retrieved from
http://mentalfloss.com/article/65008/15-surprising-benefits-playing-video-games
Bergland, C. (2019). Video Gaming Can Increase Brain Size and Connectivity. Retrieved
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/video-
gaming-can-increase-brain-size-and-connectivity
Burks, R. (2019). Video games sharpen eye-hand coordination skills: Study. Retrieved from
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/18125/20141019/study-finds-that-video-games-
boost-eye-hand-coordination-skills.htm
Burks, R. (2019). Video games sharpen eye-hand coordination skills: Study. Retrieved from
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/18125/20141019/study-finds-that-video-games-
boost-eye-hand-coordination-skills.htm
Tumbokon, R. (2019). 25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games - Raise Smart Kid.
Retrieved from https://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-
good-and-bad-effects-of-video-games