Video games are not as bad as we think

By Joshua Corcuera

 

Since time immemorial, humans tend to have time for leisure and recreation. Without times of relaxation, people are likely to become overworked and demoralized as they cannot have activities that would alleviate the stress that they experience. This explains why people commonly play during their vacant time. Even in the past, board games and puzzles served as a common pastime among the masses.

 

Currently, humanity is living in modern times where modern technology thrives. Yet, the demand for recreational activities remains pervasive as industrialization requires long working hours. For instance, video games and computer games are a form of recreational activity that is widely played by people from all walks of life — especially the youth. However, this form of recreation is controversial for alleged negative effects such as promoting violence and misbehavior. Are these claims true though? And how do video games came into being in the first place?

 

Like technology, recreation evolves over time

 

Before discussing the effects of playing video games, it is essential to know how video games came into existence. Just like technology, recreational activities — particularly games — evolve over time. For instance, games such as chess and go were popularly played in the past through a physical set of pieces placed atop a wooden board with patterns and designs. Though these games are still renowned, they can now be played on mobile phones and computers. In fact, there are even some tournaments of old games played in modern technologies.

 

As technology advances and modernizes, so does the way we play games. This notion gave rise to video games. Through our phones and gadgets, as well as the efforts by programmers and technology experts, it has become possible to play recreational games online — just like how we send messages and emails using our phone.

 

Playing video games lightly or moderately has benefits

 

Contrary to popular belief, video games can actually provide benefits to gamers. According to a research review in American Psychologist, playing video games may boost children’s learning, health, and social skills. The review added that playing video games may also help children develop problem-solving skills. Another long-term study published in 2013, cited by the review, said that, “the more adolescents reported playing strategic video games, such as role-playing games, the more they improved in problem-solving and school grades the following year.”

 

To share a personal experience, I played various video games — such as DotA 2, Rules of Survival, and Minecraft — during high school and my first year in college. Due to immense studies and responsibilities in college, I decided to stop playing for a while, or at least, spend less time playing video games. My experiences of playing video games, however, helped me improve my communication skills with other people I play with — I can reply or instruct my teammates rapidly and effectively, for instance. Also, playing with friends forged closer and stronger relationships as we spend time together. And finally, my experience playing video games helped me release the stress and anxiety I faced in my studies — though that does not mean the things I must do are gone.

 

Addiction is the problem

 

So would video games cause trouble at all? It only could if addiction is involved. Otherwise, that means to say that when playing is done responsibly, it’s unlikely to cause serious trouble in general. Hence, it is important to tackle playing too much video games as well.

 

We are all familiar with the notion that too much of something is not good. Even consuming too much water is bad for a human person, that is why there is this so-called water cure — a form of torture in which the victim is forced to drink large quantities of water in a short time resulting in water intoxication, and possibly death. The same applies to video games; playing for so long or for the most part of the day might be detrimental to personal health.

 

Altogether, video games can actually help people as long as they are played lightly or moderately, not excessively. There would only be serious problems when a person has become addicted to playing video games. What is essential is to teach and orient everyone, particularly the youth, on the importance of enjoying responsibly to prevent unintended consequences.