Video Games are Good for You
Originally uploaded by kmichaels97
Despite the negative connotations video games have received throughout the years, children truly benefit from them. Video game manufacturers create more than just violent video games. They create games that have physical, educational and social benefits. Scientific tests prove certain video games have positive effects on children. Parents just need to be able to identify the “right” kind of games to create this positive influence.
If you own a Wii or if you’ve seen someone playing it, you can understand why video games can have physical benefits. Kids, as well as adults and even seniors, enjoy the physical aspect of the Wii. It requires them to be moving to interact with the game. This alone is better than sitting on the couch, staring at the television. When my youngest child plays a video game he likes to jump in place during game play. This is great exercise. Add arm and body movements that are required to play a Wii game and we are looking at a full body workout. Research also proves that gaming improves vision and reaction time. Regular gamers are fast to react and they process information quickly, not only when they are playing a game, but in real-life situations as well (www.kidsandcomputers.co.uk). That’s a benefit everyone could use.
Teachers even use video games in their classrooms. When I was a kid, back in the glory days of Atari and the Apple IIG, computer time was playing a game called “Oregon Trail” or “Number Munchers” both extremely educational games. Video games have come a long way since then and some game manufacturers have stayed on that educational track. My oldest son plays games which require him to read to understand the story line. He likes playing this game because he enjoys the story and character development. It’s an animated, interactive book. Some games are actually based on past world events such as “Sid Meier's Gettysburg.” The game allows players to recreate the famous Civil War battle and apply a variety of different strategies and interesting twists to the development of the conflict. There are also educational games that are as simple as playing with virtual Legos. These types of games keep kids interested and encourage hobbies. I asked my six year old, “What do you like about playing video games?” He said to me “Making costumes and new places.” He was referring to a Playstation 3 game called “Little Big Planet.” Everything in this game is geared towards creativity, from your character to the environment the game is played in, right up to a full-blown level creator. This game also connects to an online game community where other users can post the levels they have created for others to play.
Almost 60 percent of frequent gamers play with friends which provide positive social benefits. Thirty-three percent play with siblings and 25 percent play with spouses or parents (Jenkins, 2003). I have found that single player games are often played with someone else giving advice and the other holding the remote. Games that are defined as “Massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)” have a very large number of players from all over the world that interact with one another within a virtual gaming world. This type of interaction strengthens communication and leadership skills. Games that are multiplayer games, meaning two or more players, can teach teamwork skills and encourage good sportsmanship.
Some games are not meant to be played by children. To make sure that children benefit from gaming, parents need to be aware of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating scale. Similar to the movie industry's rating system, all major game companies submit their products for rating to specially trained raters at the ESRB. The ratings are well explained at www.esrb.org . On top of making sure the game rating is acceptable, parents should visit game review websites such as www.ign.com and gamespot.com. If you don’t have access to the internet, video game department employees are a good source to ask for a quick game review or referral. The Federal Trade Commission has found that 83 percent of game purchases for underage consumers are made by parents or by parents and children together (Jenkins, 2003). Doing your homework will benefit you and your child. It will also be better for your wallet since once you open a video game, many department stores will not allow you to return them.
When an age appropriate game has been purchased, parents should have a video game time limit rule in place. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids spend no more than two hours each day on screen time — watching TV or movies, or playing computer or video games. I have found that using video games as a reward goes a long way. Try rewarding your child with thirty minutes of extra game play on the weekend. Like a lot of things, the healthiest approach to video gaming is to enjoy with moderation.
Video games are not only for kids. Over sixty percent of game players are over eighteen years old (Jenkins, 2003). In a research study conducted at Iowa State University, results found that surgeons who spent three hours a week playing video games made 37 percent fewer mistakes in laparoscopic surgery and could perform the task 27 percent faster than those that didn’t. These types of surgeries involve placing a tiny camera in the patient and watching the process on a screen. The surgeon moves small remote controls to operate the surgical tools inside the patient. These surgeries are now practiced by surgeons through video simulations (Dobnik, 2004). Video games are also used as a tool for pain distraction. Results of new study from Wheeling Jesuit University suggest video games can distract someone's attention from a painful activity, and can help people with chronic pain problems (The Science of Mental Health, 2003).
Given the choice, many children would rather play games than read a book, so why not capitalize on that enthusiasm and take advantage of the available video game benefits? Remember, the kid who is punching a toy designed for this purpose is still within the "magic circle" of play and understands her actions on those terms. Such research shows us only that violent play leads to more violent play (Jenkins, 2003). Video games, like anything else, are tools. It's all about how you use them.
References
1.www.kidsandcomputers.co.uk (2010) Can Computer Games help Improve Reaction Times? Retrieved from www.kidsandcomputers.co.uk/can-computer-games-help-improv...
2.Jenkins, Henry (2003) Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked. Retrieved from www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html
3.Dobnik, Verena. “Surgeons may err less by playing video games.” 7 April 2004.
MSNBC. 26 February 2009 www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4685909/
4.Wheeling Jesuit University (2003, March) The Science of Mental Health. Retrieved from mentalhealth.about.com/library/sci/0303/blpain303.htm
