It is a tradition to blame the game industry for any problems with children. Are video games for kids really that bad? Dig deeper to see the benefits of gaming.

Statistics updated in 2021 show that 75% of US households own a PC/console. On average, two members of a household regularly use virtual reality.

Guess which age groups play more often? Young people are most drawn to the digital world. Over 30% of all players in the US are under 18 years of age.

At the same time, most parents try to prevent their children from accessing simulation worlds. They claim to save their minds from degradation. But recent research shows that their efforts have been futile.

The previous negative attitude was wrong. There are many benefits of video games that help youth develop mental and social skills. And also contributes to their physical well-being.

Does this make you skeptical? Scroll down and read this article. It’s time to stop perceiving such entertainment as pure evil. And finally, look at the falsely underestimated positive effects.

Psychological benefits

Social competences

More than 70% of respondents choose games to play with close friends. Or friends they meet online. They participate in joint activities and practice social skills.

While completing missions, they are forced to help their teammates win. And if at first it is a necessity, then it is transformed into a character trait. As a result, players tend to be more helpful to family members and complete strangers.

Also, PC/console virtual multiplayer and single player gaming is a major theme. A child who has no game experience will be automatically excluded from conversations. It is important to play with friends in order to fit in better and be more sociable.

Problem solving skills

Open-world adventures are challenging puzzles that will teach you to think hard. With it, new abilities appear, and you do not even notice them.

Every step, decision and action should be based on logic. In addition, simulated realities teach us to work hard on our goals. Failure does not mean the end of the world.

This is a sign that you made a mistake and need to try again. The same attitude is then transferred to everything that people do in adult life.

Encouragement to study

One study conducted in New York City examines the relationship between gaming and intellectual functioning. This indicates a significant increase in school competence when children play. They are 1.88 times more likely to have better grades and more friends.

1) Digital worlds strengthen our cognitive skills and motivate children to learn. You must be able to read to know the rules, game mechanics and tips.

And be the first to know the latest news to discuss it with your friends. There is only one way to get this knowledge: read articles on blogs and forums.

In addition, digital toys are also able to improve basic STEM knowledge and other skills such as architecture, mathematics, history, chemistry, etc.

2) Unnoticed processes of stimulating our gray matter also improve cognitive abilities. Role playing (role playing) has been proven to increase volume and promote communication in the brain.

So, gamers are literally getting smarter just by enjoying action-adventure games.

Physical aspects

“Gamers are lazy people who waste time, get fat and spoil their eyes.” You have probably heard about such a stigma. This is all wrong!

Here’s what you can improve if you spend the right amount of time in the digital world:

Hand dexterity

Did you know that experienced surgeons warm up with virtual toys before surgical procedures? It helps them control their hands better and increases their attention.

Imagine how useful this is for boys aged 7 and up. They are just learning to control their motor skills. It is a tool that, if used correctly, can give young people much more than previous generations had.

The rapid development of virtual reality technologies has already turned digital adventures into physically active entertainment. The environment, characters, and missions are embedded real-world locations.

You need to move, run, jump, etc. to continue. In short, it’s like a workout, but very interactive.

Visual acuity

This is not a joke. In fact, you can learn to see better in cluttered spaces (such as fog or rain) and track multiple moving objects.

However, visuospatial abilities will only improve if you:

choose shooting games over something calm like Tetris.
Do not spend 24/7 in front of the monitor without interruption. It triggers biological reactions and impairs your vision.

In addition to spatial resolution, you train orientation skills. Maps and complex worlds help to better understand distance and space.

Play with the child

A complete ban on games for children seems reasonable to many parents. But it is not so. This will deprive them of many advantages that their peers have. Don’t stick to wrong assumptions from the past. Learn how to benefit from virtual reality.

Of course, everything should be measured. 5-year-old children are easier to control. But with older children, everything is more difficult. Especially when parents are busy with work.

This is why the old banning is so popular: simple and less time-consuming. You don’t need to filter content, set and adhere to time limits, etc.

If you really want the best for your children, learn to share this hobby. Watch them in action or play together on different computers. You will know what interests them and what drives them.

Plus, you’ll make sure they don’t go down the wrong path by trying adult content. But most importantly, you will build stronger bonds.

Where to start

Find out what the entertainment market has to offer. There are many free online games that you can try together. If you pick up something like Cartoon Network Games, you’ll find plenty of options for kids of all ages.

If you want to stick to games with educational value, try games for kids that help kids learn touch typing and brush up on their keyboard skills. Another option is online memory games for kids that focus on concentration and working memory skills.

Portals are perfect if you don’t know what genre to choose. Or maybe you want to play something new? They have rich catalogs with listings for any genre or topic. Action, arcade, puzzle… Popular hits, indie experimental toys, fresh adventures – you name it.

Another way to play games for free is the so-called “white label portal”. Popular sites of various niches add gaming sections to increase traffic. This can be a great way for parents to have fun with their kids without even leaving their favorite site.

Choose what you like best and start the engine!

They offer content for free and always at hand to entertain. Thanks to the web browser, such trips are available on any gadget with Internet: PC, laptop, smartphone.

Moderation is the key to balance

Some virtual worlds amaze with their beauty. It’s no wonder the content is easy to get hooked on and crave more. It is easier for adults to cope with this addiction.

Most are busy at work and simply do not have time for such entertainment. It is more difficult with children. Uncontrolled play can lead to disorders among young players. Such as depression, tantrums, rapid mood swings, problems at school and family.

The first reaction of parents is the influence of the computer. But the truth is that they need freedom as much as they need control. Give your kids a bag of candy.

Can they stop before they feel sick to their stomachs or feel sick? Most kids just don’t know why they need recess. It makes no sense for them to block this flow of positive emotions.

If you don’t know how to approach the problem, read this guide. He shares advice on how many minutes a day are safe. It covers different age groups and offers optimal timing.

Follow these restrictions to avoid addiction and other computer-related problems.

Professions of the new generation

With reasonable supervision, you will eliminate any negative effects. And positively influence the lives of your children. If this is their passion, it can turn into a well-paid profession.

The game market is constantly expanding, creating new opportunities for content creators. This can be related to game development or video production.

YouTube, Twitch and other streamers are already making a lot of money. Just to comment on cool adventures or play them.

Cybersportsmen are a privileged new category of top-notch digital athletes. Now they are taken seriously, on a par with international champions.

The last grand event of TI10 was held in October 2021 in Bucharest, Romania. 18 top-ranked teams battled each other in Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena.

The Russian team Team Spirits won the competition, beating the Chinese in the final. The prize fund amounted to more than 18 million US dollars.

Conclusion

The advantages of the games clearly outweigh any disadvantages. The latter is not as scary as it seems to many. They turn into advantages if you choose a balanced approach.

Digital reality is a tool for learning, physical development, socialization and mental health. Cutting it off is a mistake that will have negative consequences in the future.

Trust reliable research and numbers. They denounce old misconceptions and emphasize the benefits of video games.

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Source: Psychological Benefits of Gaming For Kids

Psychological Benefits of Gaming For Kids