The video game industry has EXPLODED over the past decade…

But what are the effects of this exponentially growing mega industry?

Many people see video games as something that has caused children to become more aggressive and have eroded a child’s imagination and empathy.

There are video games that are very negative for children’s development, but there are also positive effects that video games can have on a child.

The Positive And Negative Effects Of Video Games

Positive – Problem Solving and Logic

When playing games such as “Angry Bird” or “Cut The Rope,” a child’s brain can be “trained” to become creative in both problem-solving skills and in actually solving puzzles.

Positive – Hand-Eye Coordination, Fine Motor, and Spatial Skills

When playing games that involve shooting, the character may be running, jumping and shooting at the same time.

While doing these various things, the video game player needs to keep track of the position of the character, where their headed, where others are going, the gun position, and the enemy positions…

All of these things help develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and spatial skills. In my opinion…a child should not be playing a game that involves violence such as shooting.

More about this in a moment…

Positive – Quick Thinking and Decision Making

In many video games, a child needs to make quick discussions on what action to take. When making these quick decisions, your child is exercising their brain.

Action video games can prime the brain to make quick discussions. Also, this type of video game can help train soldiers for battle.

Negative Effects of Video Games

Violence and shooting are the types of video games that carry the most negative effects.

Children who play violent video games are more likely to have increased;

• Aggressiveness
• Thoughts
• Feelings
• Behaviors

Also, a negative effect of VIOLENT video games is a decrease in empathy and understanding for others.

Dmitri A. Christakis of the Seattle Children’s Research Institute says; those who watch a lot of simulated video game violence can become immune to it.

These individuals could be more inclined to act themselves violently and are less likely to behave emphatically.

Declining Health In Children

Another adverse effect of video games is a child’s health including obesity, seizures and muscular and skeletal disorder.

To make video games a useful tool it needs to be monitored and balanced in the child’s life…

Even though it may be easier for a parent to give your child a game it is not what they need.

A child needs to;

• Interact With Their Parents
• Daydream
• Process Their Thoughts
• Understand What Boredom Is

Video games can be an excellent tool for a child’s development if the games that they are playing are appropriate for their growth and there is a limit on how long the child can play and when they can play their games.

What are your thoughts on Video Games?

Please leave a comment below!

Thank you so much…