Games are an interactive form of entertainment that can help children develop key skills such as focus, attention and memory. They can also improve hand-to-eye coordination, which is important for other tasks like writing and playing sports.
Gaming can help kids build social skills, and some games can even teach them important academic skills such as math or science. They can also help improve their problem-solving and analytical abilities, which can prepare them for future jobs that rely on these skills.
Game-Based Learning
Schools are increasingly using game-based learning to help children understand complex topics such as math or science. This can boost their learning as they’ll be able to experience the topic in an exciting way that makes it more memorable and engaging.
Video games can help kids learn to make fast decisions and respond quickly when faced with a problem in the game. They can also help children learn how to strategize and plan their moves so they can achieve their goal in the game.
Excessive Gaming and Depression
Research has shown that people who are depressed or have other mental health issues are more likely to play video games than people who are not affected by these conditions. This is because they need to distract themselves from thinking about negative thoughts and feelings.
Often, this can lead to them spending too much time on gaming and neglecting other aspects of their life that they may need to address, such as school work or physical health. This can then result in them being unhappy and struggling with other emotions such as anxiety or depression.
This can lead to them becoming addicted to gaming, which is a condition that can have long-term consequences for their health and wellbeing. It can be a serious problem, so it’s important to get help if you think you’re struggling with this.
Gaming Can Be a Cathartic Activity
Gamers tend to play for long periods of time, and many feel that their gaming sessions can be quite therapeutic. It can be a good way to escape from real life, and it can also provide them with positive feedback.
It’s not uncommon for gamers to be social and enjoy talking about their games with their friends, or to participate in online gaming communities. This can help them meet new people and keep in touch with existing friends.
The amount of time that they spend gaming depends on personal, interpersonal and environmental factors. The three influences converge and each push/pull on the amount of gaming simultaneously (see Table 1).
Amount of Gaming and Mental Health
In addition to providing gamers with a form of distraction from their problems, gaming can also be used as a form of coping. This is especially true for people who are feeling stressed or anxious, which can be a common side effect of depression and other mental health conditions.
