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The articles that I have on this page explain why VideoGames are good and or bad for you. The article titled "Viewpoint Article" explains why VideoGames are good for you. The article titled "Reference Article" explains why VideoGames are bad for you. The article titled "Reliable Source #1" explains why VideoGames are good for you. The article called "Reliable Source #2" explains why VideoGames are bad for you. The last article called "Reliable Source #3" gives us details about why VideoGames are good.

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This was chosen for "Video Games are Bad" because its says its just as bad as Rock and Roll

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This thing was chosen because it explains why VideoGames are good.

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The debate as to whether or not benefits of video games really exist has been going since the days of Pong and Space Invaders.

Unfortunately, most people have always assumed they were the cause of many mental and physical problems. Even if there was a lack of scientific evidence to prove it.

Some say it is in our human nature to find something to blame when there's an issue, and video games have always been an easy target.

But things have changed and now more professional studies are being conducted to find out the real benefits of playing video games.

Are video games good for you?

Are video games really hinder our ability to learn, make us more violent, or affect our physical health?

While there still isn't enough evidence to offer a solid answer, the good news is that most researchers are discovering why gaming is good for you.

The Benefits of Video Games

Video games benefits include promoting healthy lifestyles, increasing social activity, slow the aging process, and make the participant a better decision-maker.

Video Games Can Help Build

Source: ESA Essential Facts

Is Playing Video Games Good for You?

Yes, there are plenty of positive effects of video games. Gaming can help those suffering from addictions or cravings to decrease the intensity of their desires. They can also potentially help those who have multiple sclerosis with balance and improved cognitive function.

Why Video Games Are Good for You

The positive effects of video games are in the way they fit into different facets of our daily lives. Some of the benefits are physical, psychological, and social. Contrary to popular belief, they can promote healthy living and increased social activity through various avenues.

Games like Call of Duty and Splinter Cell multiplayer can help forge friendships and bonds that will last for years. Things like the Wii Fit can promote a better lifestyle, keeping someone active, and on their diet goals daily.

The Positive Aspects of Playing Video Games

Source: Statisca

This article will show you 10 reasons why video games are good for you.

Before you read on, remember that anything in excess can be harmful.

No positive effects of video games will justify playing them for 10 hours a day.

It's your responsibility to figure out how long you should play before putting the controller down and doing something else, as difficult as it may be. So, let's take a step back and take a look at the 10 positive effects of video games.

Remember that anything in excess can be harmful.

No benefit that comes from a video game will justify playing them for 10 hours a day.

It's your responsibility to figure out how long you should play before putting the controller down and doing something else, as difficult as it may be.

10 Data-Driven Benefits of Video Games

Playing Video Games May Slow Down Aging

Male, female, young adult, middle-aged person- all have one thing in common and that's aging.

And while getting older and wiser has its perks, there are also a number of natural problems that come about as well.

There's a reason why you see senior citizens driving at 25 MPH even though the speed limit is 45.

But just like maintaining a healthy exercise routine can help your body feel 50 when you're 60, our brain can also be kept 'in shape'.

In fact, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa showed that playing video games can do just that.

The study had 681 healthy people aged 50 and older to play video games for 10 hours for five to eight weeks, and this is what they found:

"We've shown that 10 hours is enough to slow the decline by several years. We saw a range across all our tests from a minimum of a year-and-a-half all the way up to about six-and-a-half years of recovery or improvement. From just 10 to 14 hours of training, that's quite a lot of improvement".

Key Takeaways

It seems performing any task that requires exercising your mind will help it stay sharper, and that includes video games. ()

If you have ever done a crossword or sudoku, then you already know the benefits of gaming. Video games can train your brain, open up new pathways of thought in your brain, and keep your mind a honed edge.

Although I'm an admitted crossword addict, being intellectually stimulated by the benefits of gaming started in 6th grade when I first played Shogun Total War. I was captivated by the setting of feudal Japan. I then dedicated a project towards it and started reading more and more about specific points in history.

It was addictive, learning about these different phases of history, and how well that video games serve them. These different niches serve to help us learn better and experience creative and enjoyable brain tools.

Better Decision Maker

C. Shawn Green from the University of Rochester wanted to see how video games benefits our ability to make decisions.

His goal was to test if games, which demand us to view and keep track of moving peripheral images, improve our ability to receive sensory data and thus help us make more precise decisions.

The study had a group of young adults with no gaming experience play video games in action genre, at a fast pace for 50 hours.

A second group of the same age played a slow-paced strategy game instead.

Key Takeaways

After the study, Green had nothing but good things to say:

"Action video games are fast-paced, and there are peripheral images and events popping up, and disappearing. These video games are teaching people to become better at taking sensory data in, and translating it into correct decisions."

A colleague of his even went on to say that shooters can change the brain by dramatically enhancing many of our low-level perceptual functions. Definitely good news for all the Halo and Call of Duty fans out there. ()

Games Can Help (Not Hurt!) Your Eyesight

There are few gamer kids who grew up without ever hearing their parents say "you're going to go blind watching that screen all day".

For a while, it did seem like they had a point since we tend to blink much less frequently while playing a game.

This can cause serious problems like eyestrain and dry eye syndrome.

Another team of researchers from the University of Rochester sought to determine once and for all: Are video games bad for you when it comes to vision?

The 2009 study involved having a group of experienced first-person shooter gamers plays Call of Duty and Unreal Tournament 2004 while more casual gamers played slow games like The Sims 2.

Key Takeaways

After testing, those who played the first-person shooters showed signs of having a better vision than the others.

Daphne Bavelier, the leader of the study, discovered a clear physical benefit of playing video games which is an improvement in the ability called contrast sensitivity function.

This ability helps us discern between changes in shades of gray against a colored backdrop, which is very beneficial while driving at night. ()

Video Games Can Make You Less Anti-Social

One of the worst stereotypes associated with playing video games is that those who do are awkward social rejects.

Even if there are plenty of basement-dwelling gamers out there, that doesn't mean all gamers have problems socializing in public and making friends.

Researchers from three different institutions in the UK and Canada recently did their own studies to find out how common antisocial behavior is among people who play video games frequently.

Key Takeaways

What each one discovered is that gamers who partake in live social environments are actually the most communicative and friendly people there.

"Gamers aren't the antisocial basement-dwellers we see in pop culture stereotypes; they're highly social people," said one of the researchers who went to more than 20 events where gamers get together.

While observing gamers he even went on to admit that they formed stronger relationships than non-gamers due to their matching love of games. (

When the second Splinter Cell game, Pandora Tomorrow came out, I was the only one of my friends with it. That means I was relegated to play spies vs. mercs alone with strangers. Luckily for me, I met a cool gamer, and we hit it off almost immediately.

After some time playing the game, we developed a little friendship. We would play video games together after school, and it was a ton of fun being able to collaborate with someone, especially with some of the more toxic users online.

We remained Xbox LIVE friends throughout the years, along with the other gamers that I have crossed paths with. So is playing video games good for you socially? Yes, in many cases they can form and strengthen friendships.

Benefits of Gaming in Everyday Life

Source: ESA Essential Facts 2022

Games Can Enhance Your Ability To Learn

Contrary to popular belief when it comes to positive and negative effects of video games, researchers from the UK found that certain video games can actually enhance our brain flexibility.

The study was done at both the University College London and the Queen Mary University of London and had 72 volunteers play two different games for 40 hours over six to eight weeks.

The games were Starcraft, a fast real-time strategy game, and The Sims, a slower life-simulation game. Both those games were used to answer the question once and for all: Is gaming good for your learning ability?

Key Takeaways

Here's what they had to say:

"This result supports the notion that the within-StarCraft gaming manipulation led participants to manage more information sources during gameplay, thus leading to enhancements in cognitive flexibility."

In other words, the people who played Starcraft boasted better cognitive flexibility since the game requires constant thinking and player input.

So there you have it - slower games may not offer the same benefits of playing video games with a faster pace. It's cool to know that our favorite fast-paced games are helping us become better learners while entertaining us. (

Help Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

There are many professions that require having better hand-eye coordination than the average person.

Of course, surgeons depend on theirs to not only perform a successful operation but also make sure they don't nick an artery or vital organ.

That's why a lot of aspiring surgeons are now required to perform virtual surgeries for training.

Curious to see who could perform better at these virtual surgeries, Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch brought together a group of high school kids, college students, and medical residents.

After testing the three groups to see who could outperform the others, the scientists were surprised to discover that the high school students did the best.

Why?

Key Takeaways

Simply put, the high school kids played video games at least two hours a day while the medical residents rarely had time to play.

While one of the researchers insists that the residents would still do better in actual surgery, the study is one of many proving that our favorite games can help improve our hand-eye coordination. ( Source)

I credit getting my driver's license to gaming. No, seriously! I didn't get it right away when I was 16, which caused some loss of self-esteem. Yet, when I finally tried driving, I realized how similar it was to driving games and flight simulators.

Hours playing Grand Theft Auto paid off! Okay, maybe not the best 'car' example. How about Gran Turismo? Yeah, hours of playing Gran Turismo paid off!

So, when people ask, what are the advantages of video games? Yes, they can help with hand-eye coordination, confidence, and reflexes. Not to mention helping someone pass their license test!

Improved Focus and Attention

One of the biggest worries among parents today is almost unanimous, and that is: Are video games good for your brain? Most parents fear that their children sit in class thinking about Minecraft and Pokemon instead of listening to the teacher.

To see if improved cognition and perception can be a direct cognitive benefit of playing video games, a researcher named Vikranth Bejjanki performed a few experiments alongside several colleagues.

These tests first involved having two groups, experienced and inexperienced gamers, perform several perceptual tasks such as pattern discrimination.

The gamers ended up outperforming the other group who rarely, if ever, played games before the experiment.

Key Takeaways

The paper concludes with the following:

"The enhanced learning of the regularity and structure of environments may act as a core mechanism by which action video game play influences performance in perception, attention, and cognition."

In other words, playing video games improves several abilities, including paying attention. ()

Video Games May Help Treat Depression

A few years ago researchers in New Zealand sought to search for any benefits of gaming that can help in treating mental disorders like depression.

This was done with SPARX, a game specifically designed to provide therapy to teenagers in a way that's more active and enjoyable than regular counseling.

Over 168 teens with an average age of 15 participated, with all of them having shown previous signs of depression.

While half of the group received traditional counseling, the other group got to play SPARX.

The game involves creating avatars to rid the virtual world of enemies representing gloomy, negative thoughts.

Every stage also introduced general facts about depression, including ways to relax and deal with negative emotions.

Key Takeaways

Here's their conclusion after discovering that SPARX players did better at recovering from depression than the other group:

"SPARX is a potential alternative to usual care for adolescents presenting with depressive symptoms in primary care settings and could be used to address some of the unmet demand for treatment."

Video Games Can Help You Stay Fit

Of all the benefits of video games on this list, this is the one that most people already know.

This is likely attributed to Nintendo's Wii system that introduced motion control gaming to players all over the world.

Active games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit are to this day found in hospitals and retirement homes.

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center recently performed a test to discover the pros of video games for kids in comparison to activities like watching TV and browsing the internet.

Tests involved measuring the heart rate, self-reported exertion, and energy expenditure of kids aged 10 to 13 while they performed three specific activities:

playing active video games

watching television

walking on a treadmill

The team discovered that playing motion-control games was was just as beneficial as walking on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5mph.

Both exercises had the kids burning the same amount of calories, which was nearly three times more than the children just watching Netflix. ()

Video Games Can Help Couples

While there are plenty of ways for couples to have fun together and relax, psychologists from the University of Denver wanted to find out if playing video games was one of them.

This is an interesting study because research shows men care more about this part of a relationship than women do.

At the same time, most guys are known to either play games alone or with other male friends- not so much their girlfriend, wife, etc.

The study, which actually started in 1996, had 200 couples in their second year of marriage decide what aspect of their relationship was most important.

Their answers demonstrated a strong correlation between the importance of partaking in fun, exciting activities together, and a good relationship.

Key Takeaways

Howard Markman, one of the psychologists involved in the study said this:

"The more you invest in fun and friendship and being there for your partner, the happier the relationship will get over time."

So even though the experiment didn't involve playing video games, it serves to prove that couples who play video games together tend to have happier, healthier relationships. ()

Okay, so I know that some couples experience what I deem 'Call of Duty syndrome.' In which the girlfriend is disinterestedly (can you blame her?), watching her boyfriend play video games, usually Call of Duty.

You can totally avoid this through the benefits of gaming with the right combo of game and gamer. With my girlfriend, we found a sweet gaming spot. One day I recommended Stardew Valley to her. Being a fan of Harvest Moon, she picked it up and immediately loved it.

Later on, Stardew Valley came out with a multiplayer update, allowing us to play together. It was so much fun, and I believe it really added important communication aspects to our relationship.

Recently, we beat Starbound together, and we are on the lookout for the next great multiplayer co-op game!

More Reasons to Love Video Games

Interest in History and Inspires You to Read More

With so many different benefits of gaming out there right now, it's a wonder we can get to even a fraction of them. Luckily, one of the most popular series is the Assassin's Creed franchise is steeped in factual and fictional history.

The games take place in real-time periods, having the player take part in actual events with fictional and historically accurate characters. This is only one example of a video game advantages you can gain over time from playing games.

The Total War games are rife with historical accuracy and freedom. The most recent release of Total War: Three Kingdoms introduces those not familiar with China's epic history could very well have gamers pick up the famous book it's based on, promoting more literacy.

After playing the game mentioned above, I actually headed to the bookstore and picked up a copy of Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It's a dense read, but the point is I was interested enough in the rich history built up with the gameplay that I was moved to read more.

Click here to check out the most popular video game genres out there.

Excuse me while I plot like Cao Cao and fight like Lu Bu!

Helps Multiple Sclerosis Patients Improve Their Balance

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a severe disease that affects the nervous system. Although it can be treated, there currently is no cure.

Along with medications, playing video games have actually shown to help MS patients with their uncomfortable symptoms like balance, cognitive functions, and motor control impairment. MS patients often go through trying and tough physical therapy for their conditions and provide benefits of gaming they can easily manage and access.

"For example, a study published in November 2014 in the journal Radiology reported that 24 MS patients improved their balance and even lessened their risk of falling as a result of playing video games using a Wii balance board. The game works by having users stand on a board while shifting their weight to follow the interactive instructions on the screen."

Although playing video games doesn't cure MS, they can potentially be a valuable and life-changing experience for those suffering from it.

Along with being a fantastic party game, the Wii has proven to bolster the number of benefits of gaming, in conjunction with something like the Wii Fit.

Video Games Can Stop Cravings

While we all know the feeling of being completely enchanted by a great game, could this help people struggling from cravings like smoking?
A study was released in which players who played the puzzle game Tetris experienced significantly fewer cravings than those who didn't partake in Tetris. This was initially a study to determine if playing video games could curb cravings for junk food, and ended up helping those suffering from severe addictions to alcohol and tobacco.
Prof. Jackie Andrade, from the School of Psychology and the Cognition Institute at Plymouth University, explains:

"We think the Tetris effect happens because craving involves imagining the experience of consuming a particular substance or indulging in a particular activity. Playing a visually interesting game like Tetris occupies the mental processes that support that imagery; it is hard to imagine something vividly and play Tetris at the same time."

Looks like staying up late playing Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was actually healthy and not terrible for me! Well, okay, maybe not exactly the same thing, but still. It's definitely good to know that seeing Tetris blocks when you close your eyes at night might actually be a good thing! The benefits of gaming couldn't be more evident in this case.

Conclusion on the Benefits of Gaming

Just like video games themselves, the field of studying how games help or hurt us is still very new.

There is still plenty of research to be done before we find out how the virtual characters, stories, and worlds we love really provide any significant benefits of video games. In the meantime, check out our list for the most popular games in the market right now.

Even so, feel free to show your friends and family this list if they're the kind of people who still assume games are to blame for obesity, school shootings, and antisocial behavior.

It will help them realize that instead of giving us problems, games may have actually been improving our lives in some ways.
Let's Compare Notes
We want to hear from you. To ask a question about this article or to provide additional information, shoot us a message at: [email protected]

Written by Dustin Tyler [ Updated September 27, 2023]

Initially focused on web dev, Dustin was introduced to game design by a friend after college and was immediately attracted to the combination of technical skill and creativity required to make an awesome game.

While not a professional game developer himself, he's utilized his web dev skills and desire to help others by creating a resource where expert game designers can share what they've learned with the next generation of aspiring game makers.

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10 Reasons Why Video Games are Good for You, Sometimes

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See 10 reasons why video games are good for you with our comprehensive list debunking the notion that video game are only harmful. View various studies that show how gaming can be helpful.

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This Source was chosen because it explains why VideoGames are bad.

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Is it possible that video games can actually help our brains? What researchers have discovered may change our future relationship with some medical treatments.

Ever since their invention, there have been debates and stigma over the impact video games have on brains. On one side, you have the fact that people are sitting stationary for a long time, which is detrimental to their overall health. (But any one of us with an office job can relate to that.) On the other side, there's the idea that video games are training the brain.

So... what are they? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Let's see!

Peter Rubin, a Senior Producer at WIRED, looked into this for us all. He visited researchers, doctors, and tested his skills against a pro gamer to see what the actual effects video games have on our health. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the results he came up with... and I definitely wasn't anticipating where video games may take us in the future.

Have a look for yourself...

You can find more of Peter Rubin's work for WIRED by clicking here! He's even written a book, Future Presence: How Virtual Reality Is Changing Human Connection, Intimacy, and the Limits of Ordinary Life, which published in April of this year.

Really? Video games as medicine?

Yep! You heard it right. There are researchers working towards developing games that can enhance our everyday brain use and can be prescribed to be used to "support treatment of brain disorders such as ADHD, autism, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and more" . They're aiming to build a new type of treatment that doesn't involve chemicals (most prescription medications have uncomfortable side effects) and makes it an experience that's unique to each patient.

The Verge shows us how this new "digital medicine" works with a trip to Neuroscape, a center working to integrate technology and neuroscience!

"We strive to make treatments that are not just engaging, but captivating to the point that, in the moment, patients forget they are taking medicine.

Our prescription digital medicine is delivered through creative and immersive action video game experiences to keep patients engaged and immersed in the treatment. Our products leverage the fun, deep engagement, and rewards that make games incredibly compelling but, unlike typical video games, this personalized gameplay experience is engineered with adaptive algorithms designed to treat a disease or disorder."

Sounds pretty good, right? If you'd like to learn even more about Akili Interactive, Project EVO, and its applications, head on over to their site by clicking here.

So where do we go from here?

As they said in the first video, fairly serious injuries do occur from playing video games too often. In fact, a few hours here and there isn't bad! Just make sure you go outside, stretch, engage with other humans face to face, and you should be fine. So go on, keep exploring new virtual worlds, and look forward to a real world where we're prescribing video games as medicine! (Seriously, who doesn't want a noninvasive treatment?)

Oh! And did you know that virtual reality is actually inside of healthcare now?

Learn all about it in this following article:

Stay open to new possibilities!
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Are Video Games Bad for You, Really? | Ever Widening Circles EWC

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On the quest to find out the effect that video games have on the brain, researchers may have stumbled into something that could change the nature of medicine. We're on the verge of prescribing video games, and these awesome creators walk us through it!

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This was picked because in gives details on why VideoGames are good.

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Believe it not, scientific research confirms video games are good for you ( video games are sports, after all).

In fact, while several studies support the findings, one from the University of Oxford has countered fears that gaming could be harmful to mental health; concluding that "Time spent playing video games doesn't affect people's well-being.

I know, it's hard to wrap your head around such a statement after years of listening to "don't sit too close to the TV, you'll ruin your eyes," or "stop wasting your time playing video games-go outside!"

But yes, real research from credible sources has shown that a lot of what makes video games fun, is also good for your health-both for the brain and the body.

Why video games are good for you

1. They exercise the brain

Let's face it; playing video games is often thought of as an activity that promotes a sedentary lifestyle, not one that exercises the brain.

But there have been studies that suggest that video games can be beneficial for improving cognitive functions, such as memory, problem-solving, and multitasking.

Thus, video games can help you stay mentally sharp, increase your creativity, and even reduce stress.

Think of them as brain-gym workouts that are fun, engaging, and offer various cognitive benefits.

Research titled " Association of Video Gaming With Cognitive Performance Among Children" involving over 2,200 children discovered that "...Compared with NVGs, VGs were found to exhibit better cognitive performance involving response inhibition and working memory as well as altered BOLD signal in key regions of the cortex responsible for visual, attention, and memory processing." (NVGs here stands for "non-video gamers" and "VG" for "video gamers.")

And according to Dr. Michael Manos, "Like stimulants, video gaming can increase gray matter in the brain...Gray matter provides interconnectivity and allows parts of your brain to communicate with other parts of your brain and advance your self-perception."

Another main study, conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus in Berlin, Germany, found that playing video increases gray matter and helps refine learned and hardwired skills.

In layman's terms, playing video games directly affects and impacts regions of the brain responsible for memory, spatial orientation, information organizations, and fine motor skills.

The study also reinforces the claim that, like exercise, playing games for as little as 30 minutes a day, can improve your life. (Read here for other video game trivia and gaming facts.)

Diving into this particular study, to determine how video games affect the brain, scientists selected two groups of adults. The first group would play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day, for two months. The second group did not play any video games at all. Scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the size of the brain of the groups before the start of the study, then again after the two-month period.

The results confirmed previous findings-that there were differences in the brain structure of video gamers, and that by playing video games, there was a "direct link between video gaming and a volumetric brain increase."

Simone Kühn, the senior scientist at the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, led the study. She claims, "While previous studies have shown differences in brain structure of video gamers, the present study proves that specific brain regions can be trained by means of video games."

By the same token, scientists believe those with mental disabilities (or whose brains had been reduced in size by an accident or medical condition) or others affected by brain disease like Alzheimer's, could benefit from playing video games as well.

With their subjects, scientists saw increases in three major areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex, the right hippocampus, and the cerebellum.

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for decision making, social behavior, personality, and cognitive planning. It makes sense, then, that this area of the brain is affected by playing Super Mario 6 4, a game which requires gamers to plan ahead and contemplate how to use and interact with objects in a virtual world.

The right hippocampus plays an important role in how we process and consolidate information, including short-term and long-term memory. Scientists saw growth here too, caused by players using this part of the brain to navigate Mario's world.

Finally, the cerebellum was also affected-it's the part of the brain that controls fine motor skills or muscular activity. Again, no surprise that it grew as well, since this part of the brain helps you quickly assess and respond to things happening around you-in this case, using a gamepad to move Mario at a moment's notice, or to press the "jump" button at just the right time.

As you might imagine, the results were more pronounced in those gamers who truly invested themselves in the gaming, and had a strong desire to beat the game or figure out the difficulties of a certain level.

And, it's not just Super Mario 64-Scientists suggest fast-paced action games and simulations (like sports games and first-person shooters) help improve hand-eye coordination, and could also be used to help disabled patients as a type of digital therapy. (Read more for a list of video game genres.)

Before moving on, think about this-if an action game like Super Mario 64 signals positive benefits for players, games built specifically to train, test, and challenge the brain must be beneficial too, right?

Well, since their introduction in the early 2000's, logic games or brain games have had a love/hate relationship with the scientific community, mainly because of the claims video game publishers have made about these titles.
Top Video Game Skills Gained from Playing
For instance, such claims tout that, for just a few minutes a day, you can train your brain using video games-and in some cases, that these games will make you smarter.

While that second point of the statement has been debated, what's not being questioned is that brain games aren't a complete waste of time. Because really, anything that engages your brain and makes you think is good practice. There are a ton of brain games online and more available for your gaming platform of choice.

Other brain game benefits include helping players get better with repeated tasks, and they also provide mental stimulation-something that doctors highly recommend, especially for older adults and the elderly.

2. They help with real world problem-solving

Video games can also be helpful when it comes to problem-solving in the real world. With their engaging and interactive stories, challenging puzzles, and immersive virtual worlds, games can provide players with the skills and confidence needed to tackle the toughest of problems.

By teaching players how to think strategically and creatively, games help develop the necessary skills to solve real-world problems. Whether it's a difficult math challenge or a complex business decision, games can provide the perfect training ground.

In lighter terms, a game that challenges you to navigate strange jungles or winding mazes may help enhance your ability to navigate everyday surroundings!

"When you're watching a video game, you've got to pay attention to every little thing that comes into your visual field and react to it...Being able to visually contrast and tell the difference between one thing and another is also a skill that can be developed by playing video games," said Dr. Manos in the same article referenced above.

What's more, an older study by Iowa State University supports the problem-solving benefit of video games. In a survey involving a group of surgeons, university researchers discovered that those who played video games were quicker with advanced procedures and made 37% fewer mistakes than people who didn't.

This overview of commercial video games in 2020 also suggests that different video games enhance different cognitive functions. Similarly, a study published in 2013 showed that children who played strategy-based games displayed an improvement in problem-solving and tended to get better grades in school.

And yes, there is more!

Games can also teach problem-solving and strategy, making them valuable tools for kids and teens.

For instance, Minecraft offers a number of educational benefits, like teaching kids how to use objects to explore environments and solve problems, while games like Civilization and SimCity teach problem-solving on a more "global" level.

In SimCity, players lay out and plan a city, and must think ahead to consider how something like the tax rate may help or hurt the growth of their city, or how street planning and certain zones may impact growth.

The game also teaches resource management and planning on a basic level, and it does a nice job of explaining these concepts to younger gamers. Learning and developing these types of strategies can be directly applicable to life as well.

Last, an indirect benefit is the fact that several video games are based on real historical events, and can encourage kids to find out more about the world that came before them through research and reading.

3. They exercise the body

How else are video games good for you? While they can "make your brain bigger," they can also help you shrink the waistline, for starters.

Exergames like Ring Fit Adventure (which Gamespot says "...is undoubtedly the best fitness game on the market today") have experienced a huge resurgence in the last ten years thanks to companies like Nintendo and Konami. Not to mention those not specifically focused on fitness (load up a session of Dance Dance Revolution and stomp out a dance routine to see what I mean).

Exergames and fitness video games have revolutionized exercising in surprisingly positive ways.

Really, it's the convenience that makes such games so appealing, as they offer an easy way to "get to the gym" without physically going to the gym. And for kids and parents with busy schedules, such games provide a quick way to get in 30 minutes of activity and exercise.

These types of games get players up and moving, helping with circulation, joint flexibility, coordination, and balance (as we will dive into next). And thanks to technology, many of these same games track your progress - through your number of repetitions - and even help you set goals to keep you motivated-all without the commitment of a gym membership.

4. They offer other physical benefits

Beyond exercise, video games can also help in the areas of hand-eye coordination, balance, and coordination, or even improved visual acuity,

For example, video games can improve your eyesight. A study by the University of Rochester proved video games improve vision by making gamers more responsive to different shades of color. The same study, funded by the National Eye Institute and the Office of Naval Research, found that players of action games - like first-person shooters - had better perception of color contrast.

Additionally, video games have been proven to improve fine-motor skills in preschoolers, and a study published in the medical journal PLOS One found that surgeons who played video games - more specifically, the Nintendo Wii - became better surgeons! By playing games, they improved their hand-eye coordination and precise muscle movement-both essential skills for their practice.

5. They help you destress

To round things out, video games can also be great for destressing.

That is, when we're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, playing a video game can be a great way to take our minds off our worries and focus on something more enjoyable. They provide a great distraction from the stressors of everyday life and help us relax and feel better. From fighting evil forces in an epic battle to exploring new virtual worlds, video games can be a rewarding experience!

Great, so play as much as possible?

So yes, video games are actually good for you on many levels. Of course, we must add, like anything, to maintain such benefits, games should be consumed in moderation. Staying up all night, every single night, to fight off zombies? Maybe not the best thing for your health.

Want one more beneficial aspect of video games?

Learning the skills needed to create your own game can give kids and teens a leg up when it comes to securing dream internships and lucrative jobs down the road.

With a program like iD Tech, students enter their sessions as pure video game players, and end their week with the knowledge and skills required to become video game creators.

Learn more about iD Tech summer video game summer camps and online learning for kids and teens.

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Are Video Games Good For You? Why Games are Beneficial for Brain & Body

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Yes, real research from credible sources has shown that playing video games actually does have health benefits-both for the brain and the body. Learn how.

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Are Video Games BAD For You? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS

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This was chosen for "Video Games are Bad" because she is saying that video games destroyed the Earth

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This picture was chosen for "Video Games are Good" because you still are not getting interaction with people by reading a book

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This was chosen for "Video Games are Good" because, just look at the picture, I dont have to explain anything else

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This was chosen for "Video Games are Good" because it tells you that video games help your brain