Do Video Games Ruin Your Brain?

Some studies have shown some video games can improve the mind’s ability to process information by using problem-solving skills, coordination, and memorization. Too much video game playing may cause problems but playing some of the time is alright. 

The topic of playing video games differs from good and bad due to many reasons according to research and personal public opinion. Speaking firstly about the good – it helps stimulates the brain in ways not even school can. Skills like memorizing, concentration, and gaining confidence to rely on youself come more naturally. Secondly, about the bad, it develops bad habits that can cause you to get worse. The mental state worsens, and physical help suffers with it.

According to Bavelier, a researcher at the University of Rochester, “Action game players make more correct decisions per unit time. If you are a surgeon or you are in the middle of a battlefield, that can make all the difference.” Video games themselves are supposed to be a past time to relax, take it easy, and allow a false reality of fictional characters to distract the gamer until it’s time to return to reality and deal with real life.

“Whatever we practice repeatedly affects the brain, and if we practice aggressive ways of thinking, feeling and reacting, then we will get better at those. This is not to say that violent games necessarily cause violent behaviors, because human aggression is complex and multi-causal. But it does suggest that when we practice being vigilant for enemies and then reacting quickly to potentially aggressive threats, we are rehearsing this script.”

- Dr Gentile, A Researcher Who Studied the Disadvantages of Video Games

The Advantages of Video Games

• Improved Vision

The saying “Don’t get too close to the TV” became very popular as it led to people wearing glasses or having eye vision problems; however, it can have the opposite effect for others by helping them see better. To say the least, sitting too close to the TV has a different effect on people with their way of living.

• Develops Leadership

Since the reward system was invented with trophies players can earn doing a certain task, it’s increased the need for many to step up and know how to react when it matters. Though this is a simulation, the choices, risks, and challenges all come from the same desire to complete them and be ready for what comes next.

• Peak Interest In History

History class is often one of the most boring and menial chores to keep up with. There’s a lot of information to absorb and that in itself helps create future history teachers and lifelong learners who appreciate knowing.

• Active Video Games

Sports games that require physical movement are well-liked due to the fact they help promote physical and mental activity. The more active the kids are, the better the chance of them staying fit.

• Aging Process

Now here is the opposite of “Active Video Games”, Brain Games… this stimulates the brain in many ways and helps the brain stay healthy. There is a saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” This is why brain games are helpful, the brain needs to have fun like the body and move its muscles. 

• Social Connections

Isolation from the rest of the world is common with people who love video games; hence the reason why social connections are just as important. Meeting people from all over the world through online games encourages talking and not being locked out from the community.  

The Disadvantage of Video Games

• Problem Solving

Playing games that require the use of problem-solving can vary with the game itself, but it’s the short term burst that is the worst. Many games have easy solutions, but they don’t apply to real life. The gamer gets frustrated easily with the short term and gives up because it becomes too hard. 

• Personal Management 

The mechanics and playing style of every game is different and requires an adjustment to how it must be played. An issue here is that in real life it happens the same way but not as frequently so the pacing wouldn’t make any sense and possibility confuse them.

• Quick Thinking 

Since thinking and reacting is the core of how a gamer reacts to the situations they’re given to work with, it’s a fair assumption to say not all choices they make are great. They see the pattern and what way to go, but for the ones who move fast, they do little thinking and make a choice hoping for the best outcome. In video games, there is a chance to redo that if things go bad, but real life is not so kind.

• Hypothesis Testing

Solutions are simple and easy for most, but for a gamer, it can mean disaster. While many are prone to asking and giving it a few tries to figure it out, the gamer will get stuck and not know what will work. There are so many ways to go about fixing a problem, just like in a game, it takes a while to find the right way to keep going forward.

• Total Concentration

Trying to concentrate on something to succeed is a task that requires great effort, so the gamer does well with that in video games only because they can do whatever is allowed. A video game already comes with what is required and what needs to be done, but real life has consequences that need concentration. This is where the gamer must work hard because losing track of what they’re doing can cost them.

• Taking Risks

A Gamer loves to take risks in video games because it’s fun and exciting, however, in real life so much risk-taking can cost a lot. The Gamer does well in a fictional sense as they can handle the pressure and risk losing so much. When that’s applied in real life though, there’s a certain number of times risks can be taken, and some gamers don’t know when to stop.      

In the final analysis, video games can take a series of misfortunes containing good, bad, and the ugly. The good can benefit the gamer in productive ways to help them in real life, like learning quickly and adapting to the situation. This is amazing because it shows video games can help you do better. The bad is that video games can create problems in which the gamer won't ever do better, or it makes a healthy gamer take a turn in their life that hurts their life, health, and mentality. The ugly is the combination of the good and the bad which creates unpredictable outcomes and scenarios that many gamers thought they would never face. At the end of the day, video games are a great distraction from life problems and a stress release.