Are video games a necessity in the growth and development of a child?
The era of games has moved from being physically played to online gaming with several video games like Super Mario, Grand Theft Auto, and other superb games to keep children entertained.
Parents struggle with the dilemma of determining the appropriate balance between their children’s video game activities and their academic responsibilities. Several experts have stated that video games can aid in a child’s academic success. On the other hand, playing too many video games can also be detrimental to a child’s ability to perform well in school.
In this article, we will examine both the positive and negative impacts of video games on children’s academic endeavours.
Positive Impacts
1. Enhances children’s memory
In certain games, children are tasked with retaining information required for advancing to higher levels or answering questions accurately. Engaging in such activities on a regular basis can effectively train the brain to recover information quickly.
The power of repetition can also be used to improve learning and performance.
2. Keeps children fit and active
Engaging in sports video games can cultivate a passion for specific athletic pursuits and physical activities among children. Some of them may even discover a clear preference for a particular sport to pursue in their extracurricular endeavours.
It is a well-established fact that physical exercise contributes significantly to the holistic growth and development of a child.
3. Fosters constructive competition
Throughout life, there exists an inbuilt need for competition among all individuals, including children. They seek avenues to compete, earn recognition, or emerge as victors, frequently earning rewards. This competitive aspect is an intrinsic part of our existence.
Video games encourage wholesome competition among children, which provides them with valuable skills to confront obstacles they may encounter in their daily lives.
4. Instills problem-solving skills
Video games such as Call of Duty can improve the problem-solving skills of children. Such a game mandates them to look for hidden clues, navigate themselves out of tricky situations, and come out gaining more points. Doing this consistently will help them to think out of the box when given difficult questions at school.
5. Spurs children to take up leadership roles
Leadership qualities can be cultivated from a young age, and online video games provide opportunities to do so. These games often involve individuals competing in groups for prizes. Within these groups, a leader emerges who motivates the team, shares ideas, and drives them toward victory.
Although not everyone may be in a position to lead others in life, these gaming experiences can help develop leadership skills for navigating family and personal life.
6. Enhances creativity
The majority of children engage in unsupervised video game play, fostering independent thinking on how to succeed and progress in the game. This nurtures their creativity, which can, in turn, benefit their academic endeavours, enhancing their performance in group projects and assignments.
7. Increases bonding among friends and family members
Gaming serves as a means of connection among friends and family, providing opportunities to share important life stories as children chat over the game console. This can help repair strained relationships in children’s lives. These interpersonal skills can be valuable as they engage with individuals from various cultural backgrounds at school.
Negative Impacts
1. Encourages aggressive behaviour
Excessive engagement in violent video games can lead children to exhibit aggressive behavior toward their parents, friends, and classmates. These games often encourages aggressive actions by rewarding players with points or advancement to the next level.
Furthermore, these games grant the child control over the degree of violence they employ to succeed in the game. Consequently, this can result in increased aggressive behaviour at school, potential association with negative peer groups, or a decline in academic interest.
2. Promotes social isolation and anti-social behaviour
Some children stay on-screen for over three hours playing video games, often neglecting the timely submission of their school tasks, which can ultimately impact their academic performance negatively.
Moreover, due to the excitement of winning and enjoying gaming, they may show decreased interest in participating in social activities with their peers.
3. Reduces academic performance
Many educational institutions have witnessed students experiencing academic decline as a result of excessive video gaming. It is a common scenario for children to become deeply absorbed in their favourite video games, causing diminished enthusiasm for academics.
4. Addiction tendencies
Without proper supervision, children face the risk of developing video game addiction. This may divert their attention from studying and toward progressing to the next level in video games.
Conclusion
Video games have become an integral part of the lives of today’s children and society. While these games offer numerous advantages for children, it’s crucial not to simply let them play without supervision. Finding a balance is essential for enjoying their benefits while setting clear boundaries.
Researched by Adejoke Toye
