Video Gaming as an Extracurricular activity
Why Video Gaming May Be Good or Bad for Clinton’s Kids
The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) is going to add video game as an extracurricular activity. In addition to sports activities, students can now represent their schools by playing a video game. With 91% of American kids playing video games, the question remains whether gaming may or may not be good for them or if it should be encouraged at all. Video gaming offers benefits, but it can also have negative effects on children.
Gaming and the Digital World
There’s no escaping the digital world and children of the 21st century are bound to be exposed to new technologies. Gaming is one activity that has exploded in the digital media. There’s no escaping the digital world and children of the 21st century are bound to be exposed to new technologies including gadgets, gaming, or even some low wagering casino uk. For example, gaming is one activity that has exploded in the digital media. Fortunately, it has benefits, too. In the same way that physical exercise improves and strengthens muscles, playing video games enhances hand-to-eye coordination and improves cognitive function. Skills learned and acquired through game play can be used in real life situations. These include pattern recognition, time management, and analytical thinking.
Game Play Encourages Creativity
Playing games encourages creativity and curiosity. Some children go to the extent of building their own gaming PC encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They learn that a robust hard drive is indispensable to load games faster and that graphics are part of that seamless experience. Hence, spending time on games improves the brain processes and its speed. It also encourages kids to multitask like keeping their hands on the keyboard or the joystick, watching out for enemies or traps, number of lives, and all other factors that could affect the outcome of their game. Even simple games require them to multitask and think quickly to win. In addition, video gaming improves social skills whether kids are playing with friends or schoolmates online and offline.
The Pitfalls of Video Gaming
Most of the arguments against gaming focus on the violence of the games causing kids to become aggressive. According to a study by Anderson and Bushman 2001, children who play violent video games are more inclined to have increased intense thoughts and feelings and lessen prosocial behavior. Those who watch lots of violent video games are also more likely to get immune to it, act aggressively, and lack empathy. It also invites ‘emotional callousness’ according to Stockdale et al.
The American Psychological Association (APA) concluded that a ‘consistent correlation’ exists between aggression and playing violent games, but does not find a definitive link between video play and criminal violence. Another negative effect of video gaming is that kids can get addicted to it. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already included gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. Children who are hooked on video games may experience higher depression and anxiety levels according to a Minneapolis paper. The MRI-based study of the California State University also shows that addictive video games can change children’s brains in the same way that drugs and alcohol do.
Playing video games can have many beneficial effects on children, but if it gets out of hand, then addiction, violence, and risky behaviors may develop over time. The best take is to balance carefully how often kids should play, choose the right games for their age, and provide parental guidance.
