Video games are played by billions of people around the world using a range of devices. Players use computers, consoles, tablets, and mobile phones to play video games, meaning they are constantly accessible.
There are many types of video games, some which are played individually and others which can be played online, with large groups of people. We have adventure games, sports games, shooting games, racing games, construction games, and horror games to name but a few. Video games have been created for enjoyment but how can they affect our mental health? Read on as we explore the positive and negative effects of video games, beginning with some of the benefits.
Hand-Eye Coordination
Research has shown that playing video games is great for improving hand-eye coordination. Having good hand-eye coordination can be important for many things in life, such as driving a vehicle or performing DIY tasks at home.
Playing video games involves moving characters or vehicles around the screen in a way that helps the character or vehicle succeed. So, while the hands are moving on the controller, the eyes are looking at the screen, which improves hand-eye coordination. The brain processes what is happening on the screen and coordinates it with the hands to produce the desired response. Having good hand-eye coordination can lead to improvements in daily life and better mental health.
Cognitive Functions
Playing video games requires attention and being able to focus on a video game can lead to stronger attention in other situations, such as school and the workplace.
Some video games are complex and require a lot of strategy to succeed. This promotes problem solving skills, perception, and reasoning, all of which are excellent attributes to have in daily life.
Simulations are often used when training people in new professions and pilots are good examples. A pilot does not learn to fly by stepping onto a passenger aircraft and practicing with other people onboard. They use simulators and they are much like a video game. Practicing and playing games online is nothing new. Most online games have free plays, play to earn, or freemium models. A great example would be on a sweepstakes casino, that allows players to try games without the need to play for real money. They are getting more and more popular; any many new operators are launching all the time. They have many games available, such as poker, which involve a lot of strategy and deep thinking.
Physical Activity
A common misconception of video games is that they are all played sitting down, meaning a lack of exercise but that is not true.
Some video game consoles have been designed to play standing up, as if you are participating in the activity for real. The Nintendo Switch is a good example and there are many sports and action games that require physical effort to play. There are also dancing video games and these are played by following the steps on a dance met. Exercise and keeping fit is proven to improve mental health and playing video games can be a great source of exercise for those who do not want to do it outside of the home.
These are just three of the positive effects of playing video games but there are some negative aspects that we also must address.
Addiction
Some people can become addicted to video games and it consumes their lives. There is a difference between enjoying a couple of hours video gaming each day and spending the whole day locked in a dark room playing video games with no break. It is possible to make a lot of money as a professional video game player but not at the detriment of mental health.
Anti-Social Behavior
Some video games are violent and while they are age restricted, individuals have become anti-social as a result of playing certain games. Some video games are designed to be difficult and it can make progressing in the game a chore. When playing competitively online, some players have received abuse from others and even faced violent threats because they have won a game. Some of the most popular video games have additional paid aspects and if a person has paid a lot of money trying to be the best at the game and they start losing, it can lead to raging behavior.
Sleep Deprivation
Playing a video game for a long period of time can lead to sleep deprivation. The brain cannot switch off from the game easily and continues to think about the video game when it should be time to rest. This can lead to mental health problems in everyday life, such as concentration levels at school or work. There are both positive and negative mental effects of playing video games but the positive can outweigh the negative if games are played sensibly.