Positive Effects of Video Games

Video games have always been infamous for their anti-social aspect and the violence that is shown in them. They have been seen as negatively affecting the players in terms of lack of social skills, inefficiency, obesity and laziness. We lack an unbiased view, thus not being able to experience the positive effects of video games. The negativities brought in by video games are due to the unrestricted duration for which they are played. Video games are popular among the children and the youngsters of America. If there is no limit to the time for which a child is allowed to play a video game or no supervision on the way in which the game is played, the not-so-positive effects of video games will start showing. But otherwise, video games can prove to be beneficial. Playing video games demands an interactive involvement of the players. As a player, you start identifying with some character in the game and act for it. This excited state of mind has a positive effect on the player. It is also said that playing video games is surely better than watching television as video games are interactive.

Playing video games involves problem solving, planning, estimation and analysis of the moves or actions of both you and your opponent. This affects the player positively by developing in him/her problem-solving skills, analytical and estimation skills and quick decision-making. In playing video games, you need to manage your resources such as the time, your armor or your people. This is a virtual activity but it evolves abilities of resource management and testing. You learn to recognize the types of situations and react to them with determination. 

You learn to map the virtual world scenarios to those in the real world. Children can benefit from video games. Children with an inferiority complex, lack of self-confidence are seen to be gaining help from playing video games. Video games have also been included in the therapy for children with such psychological problems. In playing video games, a child gets a sense of participation, a sense of achievement, thus building his/her self-confidence. Children, after playing video games begin to feel excited about their lives, they start feeling positive and enthusiastic. This enables them to defeat their psychological disorders to a certain extent. A lonely child can acquire social presence after becoming a fan of video games! Another very important positive effect of video games seen in children in the improvement in their hand-eye coordination. 

A player has to watch on screen while simultaneously operating the joystick of the device in his/her hand to make moves. This requires the player to be alert and well coordinated. Moreover, he/she can see his actions taking effect immediately, thus getting a first hand experience of his/her actions taking effect. Video games give children a platform to manifest their gaming skills and share their expertise with their parents. Parents get to assess their child's gaming abilities while the child enjoys having an opportunity to 'teach' something to his/her parents. Video games give the means to channelize one's emotions in a positive way. Anger, hatred and such other negative feelings in a person's mind get a platform to come forth by way of a game. Players get to enact their frustrations in the virtual world. The player, in the virtual world of gaming makes new friends. All playing the same game, without having seen each other, become friends. 

This is an open relationship that develops between two people; as biases created by cast, creed or color, do not come into picture. Team spirit is another positive effect of video games. Many games require a team of people or partners to play together. This fosters teamwork and cooperation in children. It can induce leadership skills in a child. Nottingham Trent University professor Mark Griffiths says that video games can prove to be a distraction for those undergoing painful cancer treatments. In a study conducted in 2004 by Butch Rosser, a surgeon of Laparoscopy, he studied the surgical skills of surgeons playing video games and surgeons who did not. It was astonishing to know from the results that surgeons playing video games were faster in action and made lesser mistakes during work than those who did not play video games. 

There are careers building around video gaming. We have programmers working as video game testers and game designers. Those conversant with video games have an edge over those unaware of video games. Video games that include simulation of real world scenarios are becoming popular. The United States has launched a game called America's Army, which reproduces a real wartime experience. It is going to help train the new recruits. It's time we begin looking at video games in the right perspective. It is important that we realize their positive effects. We need to become aware of how can video games have a positive impact on a child's development. So next time you plan to get a video game for your child also plan to try your hands on it!