Video Games: Helping or Hurting?
Debate of the Week
Salutations, loyal arguers!
Welcome or welcome back to this week’s debate! My name is Abby, and I am one of the authors here at
. Today’s topic is video games!“Should kids be allowed to play video games?”
I would like to begin by saying that I didn’t really play video games at all growing up. However, I did play 15 minutes per day of browser-based computer games (CoolMathGames, Animal Jam, Poptropica, etc.) which were slightly more kid-friendly than some video games. My family has never owned an Xbox or Nintendo Switch or anything along those lines. That said, let’s explore the pros and cons of playing video games.
PROS
Video games have several pros. First off, they can be exciting and entertaining to children. Video games often introduce a whole new concept or problem that the player then has to figure out how to solve. Video games can also help relieve stress and boredom, and can help kids develop problem-solving skills. According to this article, gamers also are better at timing their reactions than non-gamers.
There is also a social aspect to video games. Kids can bond over video games and even meet new friends online. There is a sense of community in playing and a sense of satisfaction (dopamine rush) when winning, both of which can help children feel less stress in their day-to-day lives.
CONS
Of course, with every pro, there comes a con. Video games can encourage unhealthy habits. When kids play video games, they are sitting in front of a screen without moving much, often for extended periods. This can affect posture and sleep patterns. Additionally, staring at a screen can cause eye damage if you’re not careful about the amount of screen time you have.
Video games also don’t have too much application in the rest of life. While they may provide escape from the stresses of everyday life, this can also turn into an unhealthy habit, or in extreme cases, addiction. They also can promote violence and objectification of women. Finally, gamers are often exposed to inappropriate content and toxic communities through video games.
MY OPINION
I believe that video games are a luxury and that kids should be allowed to play video games. However, I also think they should come only after all homework and responsibilities are finished. And because video games include sitting still in front of a screen for a long time, I would advise that the kids spend enough time outside and be active to combat this.
I also believe that until the kid is responsible enough to make good decisions, the parents should be monitoring which specific video games the kid is playing. But overall, I think that video games should be allowed in moderation.
So, what do you think? Should kids be allowed to play video games or not? As always, post your arguments in the comments down below or cast your vote in the poll below!
Until next time,
As with any form of media, it has to be approached responsibly and mindfully. The same arguments were being had when television was blossoming - but now, those kids are adults, and they arguably watch too much television. It's up to parents and teachers to preach moderation, and more importantly, being thoughtful about what you're actually learning and developing when participating in the activity.
I'd argue that games are an infinitely better medium than television (movies/shows/etc) when consumed mindfully. They have the visual and audio feedback of television, the story telling capabilities of books, the social development capabilities of school and clubs, and an interactive element which traditional forms of media (artwork, books, movies) don't have. But as with anything, it can be misused and abused.
Spending 5 hours a day playing video games, watching television, or even reading books can all be bad, or they can have a transformative experience on someone's life. Moderation and mindfulness are key.
That’s a very interesting one! Especially bc. of the sometimes very conservative and questionable view on video games in the comments .
Not every game is addictive or stupid as hell.
In general it’s part of the 20th and 21st Century culture and Art. I totally agree that the user behavior has to be moderated bc of *potential* addictive tendencies especially under children and young teenager.
But I think that this discussion and consideration should be conducted by people who are involved in gaming. So that generalised statements like "gaming makes you stupid" or "gaming is addictive" don't come out of it. Because it simply doesn't apply to all games.