Video Games

Video games get a bad rep because of their associations with many bad behaviors. In my experience, video games are fine when moderated. They may actually infer several important benefits. However, most of the time, video games are not played in moderation. The time invested into video games unfortunately affects other habits, primarily sleep and the learning environment.

Video Games and Intelligence

A recent 2022 study showed a significant association between video games and intelligence. The cognitive benefits of video games are backed by other studies and make intuitive sense; video games require active engagement and practice. Video games improve visual-spatial processing, critical thinking, problem-solving, and some social skills.

More recently, game companies have tended to engage in more predatory behaviors. Some of these include the need to include more addictive systems (daily rewards, fear of missing out tactics, and social pressure). Adolescents are vulnerable to these tactics and will undoubtedly end up attached to these predatory games compared to games that can be enjoyed moderately and provide more varied intelligence benefits.

Online chess is probably not bad for you. Most video games are just more complicated versions of chess.

There are very smart people advising game companies on how to increase player retention. We should not be surprised that kids, who have the least defenses, are more glued to their phones or computers than ever.

Video Game Addiction

Source: Typical symptoms of video game addiction are factors such as academic decline, sleep disruption, and changes in real-life activities and relationships. Some comorbidities are depression, ADHD, and anxiety.

Gaming may be a way to escape difficult life situations. Therefore resolution of video game addiction may resolve related, intertwined issues. Treatment may often require one-on-one counseling or family counseling for severe cases. Treatment often involves recognition of the problem and lifestyle modifications to avoid or reduce the undesired behavior.

Takeaways and Considerations

Video games can confer numerous benefits when it does not interfere with other priorities and habits.

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Video games should be internalized as a leisure activity rather than a required activity. School should be the first priority. Tasks should be completed prior to gaming. Gaming does not need to be restricted if other tasks are completed well.

Video game companies inject many addictive elements into games.

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Moderate which games are being played. Most of the time, adolescents may enjoy a game due to the addictive elements of the game rather than the actual value or enjoyability of the game. There are many options of games to play; many support social learning or benefit intelligence and are not addictive in nature.

Video game addiction corresponds to an array of other issues. Dealing with video game addiction may resolve many other issues.

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Video game addiction should be treated like other serious addictions, like drug or gambling addictions. It needs to be addressed as a chronic medical issue.