Video Games and You
The debate about the mental consequences of video games has raged since their inception, but the argument may not be as one-sided as we think.
Photo Courtesy of Connor Lowe.
A screenshot of gameplay in “Civilization V.” In this game, players must oversee the growth of their nation. Games like “Sid Meier’s Civilization V” can have a positive influence on the players’ stategy, memory, management, and navigation skills.
September 7, 2014
With the advent of the video game, more people have elected to stay inside rather than go out and play. Here, in hot Arizona, that is perfectly viable, but many parents are concerned that their children may not be getting the sun and social interaction that they need. In fact, many studies have shown that video games can change the brain, for better or for worse.
In one study, a team of researchers at the University of Rochester found that video games, especially ones portraying stressful situations – such as towns being bombed, or some tragedy striking – could help to prepare the player for real-world situations by helping them to make quick decisions. This is one benefit in a long list – video games can help with strategy, anticipation, reading and math, pattern recognition, concentration, memory, management, and navigation.
However, another study done by Craig Anderson and Brad Bushman, from the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University, in “Human Aggression” suggests that video games may increase aggressive behavior in children and adults. Video game addicts may fight with their friends, argue with teachers, and/or overall perform worse in school. Online games may be especially to blame for this seeing as while playing, children may pick up bad language and aggressive concepts from other, older players. Any “Call of Duty”player can tell you that there are “squeakers” (7-10-year-olds, called so because of their tendency to become upset and high-pitched when defeated) running rampant on the game and are a nuisance.
My suggestion is moderation, as well as making sure that your child is playing the “right” games. Make sure you know whether they’re playing with a good community or not, and if they ask for new games, purchase titles like “Sid Meier’s Civilization V” and “Tropico” – both excellent strategy games which may teach kids important lessons about management, timing, and even history. If something upsets them, talk it out with them and make sure that they don’t sit there stewing or unleash their fury on other players. This advice is not infallible – there are always new studies emerging, especially for an issue as new and controversial as this, and we can’t know how much video games can affect our brains, so stay tuned.
Nathan Clayton • Sep 25, 2014 at 1:45 pm
This was extremely well written, and you included the term “squeaker”
zoe slagel • Sep 15, 2014 at 3:58 pm
I agree. No one should play such rage inducing games.
Drake Anderson • Sep 26, 2014 at 1:38 pm
i agree as well. I play games like Super Mario Bros. and Mario kart which are fun to play.
Connor Lowe • Oct 13, 2014 at 10:44 am
The thing is, those games are fun. I play plenty rage-inducing games, and I do let them enrage me occasionally. I believe that people shouldn’t play those games (CoD, Battlefield, Counter-Strike) unless they’re mature enough to deal with their anger. As long as we have shooters on the market, people will still be angry for seemingly stupid reasons. I just hope that they can deal with it.
Ms. Davis • Sep 11, 2014 at 11:25 am
I think this takes a fantastic and balanced perspective. I do believe that game play is beneficial, but there needs to be moderation in all things.
Great Job!
Connor Lowe • Sep 8, 2014 at 1:30 pm
I just want to say, that is not Civ 5 gameplay. It’s promotional art, but I didn’t specify that when the article was uploaded. Sorry.