Executive Summary
Video gamers have been with the society for a while, and they are associated with certain positive implications for individuals who play them. Video games enhance social skills since they can be used as a bonding activity and people interact over the internet when playing video games. Video games also improve social confidence which improves social interactions between individuals. Learning of subjects such as mathematics can also be enhanced by playing video games. Soldiers, surgeons and pilots can also improve their performance at work by engaging in video games. Management skills such as strategic management, planning and decision making can be enhanced with the use of video games. Positive emotions such as happiness can be derived from playing video games. Children who engage in video games are also less likely to involve themselves in dangerous activities such as street racing. Video games assist in averting anger which reduces the likelihood of violence among children.
Introduction
Video games are used by children and people who belong to a certain social set up. These social systems are found in schools, the community, and even the web. Video games are however known to enhance activities such as learning, social skill, and health. There are various claims that video games can increase strategic knowledge and improve transitions into the world of computers. Others experts claim that video games have a negative impact on the society since they can be sexist, violent and even addictive . Video games have been known to increase social skills since they have changed to accommodate players to play over the internet making video games a more personal experience. Professionals are also resolving to video games so that they can enhance their expertise in their specific fields. Video games enhance the society in various ways by increasing their social skills, reflexes, and through emotional therapy.
Advantages of video games to the society
Social skills
Social skill is one of the leading advantages of video games to the society. The traditional model of video games involved a lone player. Various aspects have changed over time to allow users to play together in the same room. Most people prefer to spend time playing against a friend in the comfort of their homes or rooms in the case of school going children. Video games are also available in social places such as malls where individuals can pass their time bonding outdoors. The Internet allows users to connect with others who are also playing the same game, which creates a social atmosphere . Some video games require users to play in teams which prompt the user to gain the skill of teamwork.
Studies have revealed that gamers are also more likely to be active on the internet and social media than those who did not play. Gamers often interact intensively in the course of the video game. These interactions lead to social groups and communities which hinder feelings of depression amongst members. Video games often increase the gamer’s self-esteem which is further transmitted through their social interaction skills. Self-confidence is also another quality which can be enhanced by playing video games. Games involve more risk taking which increases a child’s self-confidence. Goal setting and following through with these goals is also another skill enhanced by video games. Kids work very hard to achieve certain targets when playing, a skill which can be used in real life situations . Video games are also associated with activity as they tend to give the gamer a workout.
Averting aggressive behavior
Contrary to the common belief that violent games can increase a child’s chances of engaging in aggressive behavior, most children use games to avert their anger and aggression. Other emotions such as frustration and stress can also be diffused away by playing video games. Children, especially during their teenage years, are more likely to engage themselves in activities such as alcoholism, drug abuse and street racing. These activities are considered more dangerous when compared to street racing.
Improving cognitive skills in children
Video games are associated with certain advantages especially when a child plays them. Video games require thinking which is of high level. Video games involve a couple of procedures which have a certain impact on the child by enhancing activities such as following instructions and problem solving. Some video games involve problems such as puzzle solving which involve creativity . Video games are also known to enhance motor skills, coordination and spatial skills. Video games require one to coordinate their vision and the action they perform with their hands since some of them involve targets on the screen, which the user plays by pressing certain buttons on the hand gadget. Studies have also revealed that pilots who are familiar with video games are better pilots than those who have not engaged in video games. Surgeons who play video games have better surgical skills. The three-dimensional perception of things aids doctors especially those who involve themselves in keyhole surgery.
Enhances managerial skills
Video games improve logic, strategic management, and planning. Gamers acquire the skill of managing resources especially those which are limited and come up with better decisions even when the decision is not an easy one to make. These skills are acquired while playing these games and can be applied in real life. Games such as Maxis have also inspired a lot of its users to pursue careers in architecture and urban planning . Video games involve anticipating certain obstacles in the course of the game which requires the gamer to plan, enhancing management strategic planning. Gamers are also more aware of their environment in what is referred to as situational awareness. Games change drastically, and the gamer is expected to adapt accordingly which is a common phenomenon in real life.
Coordination and decision making
Multitasking is another skill which is enhanced by video games. Video games involve many activities happening at the same which all need the gamer to coordinate. The thinking speed of the gamer is also enhanced since most games will provide a very short period to make a critical decision . Video gamers have been suggested as an effective training tool for professions such as surgeons and soldiers.
Action game players have the ability to make quick decisions which have a very high probability of being accurate. Gamers often fail the first time when they play games. However, they do not give up, but instead, they keep trying until they become good players. Gamers also possess better reading skills and pattern recognition . Concentration is also improved through playing video games as well as making reasoned judgments. Video games such as angry birds have also been proved to get rid of anxiety making the user happier. Certain games have a positive impact on the moods of the user which is an emotional benefit to the society.
Enhances the learning activity
Educators are also considering video games as tools which can enhance learning for the learner. Physicians are also using video games to improve the health of their patients. Games such as remission have been known to improve treatment of cancer in children. Teenagers and children are the most difficult patients to engage, but with the use of the video games, it is much easier for the clinicians to deal with them . Players have an increased ability to think about situations from a three-dimensional perspective when compared to individuals who do not participate in video games. Video games have improved the chances for development in fields such as technology, science, engineering and mathematics. Puzzles and games which enhance role playing enhance the thinking abilities of the gamer. Problem solving increases a learner’s ability to improve in subjects which deal with problem-solving such as mathematics. Learners who are poor in math have been known to improve their performance by playing video games.
Technology and creativity
Video games are also an efficient way to introduce a child to the world of computers and technology . This is particularly useful for individuals or children who show no interest in technology which currently dominates the world of today. Most people also use video games as a bonding activity between family members, for instance between fathers and their children, and by teenagers. Video games are an excellent means for children to have fun which causes them to see subjects such as mathematics as fun. Games encourage learners to practice which is an important art for learners. Creativity is also another skill which is enhanced by video games. As compared to other forms of technology such as the use of cell phones, video games enhance creativity the most.
Other views have described video games to influence lazy habits and behaviors such as aggression, addiction, and depression. Shooter games have been accused by many experts to inspire violence amongst the users . The common belief that most gamers are loners is misleading since the loan player has been discovered to be the most empathetic when playing a game, a quality which extends to real life situations.
Recommendations
Video games should be encouraged in the society and manipulated more efficiently so that they can be of most benefit to the community. Games which enhance positive emotions such as angry birds should be promoted in the society so that the society can be healthier by getting rid of stress and depression. Video games should also be encouraged in the family set up as a bonding activity between parents and their children, and among peers. Children who are disinterested by technology can be introduced to the computer era with the use of video games . School going children should be encouraged to play video games since they enhance problem-solving and make subjects such as math easier and more fun for the child. Professions such as pilots, surgeons and soldiers should invest in programs which enhance the three dimension perspective which will increase their efficiency in their professions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, video games enhance the society in numerous ways depending on the type of game. Originally, video games were associated with violence, lone players, laziness, depression and aggression. Studies have however revealed that video games such as angry birds improve an individual’s moods by diffusing stressful emotions and influencing more emotions such as happiness. Users have also been discovered to redirect their anger through the use of video games which reduces the likelihood of the individual engaging in aggressive behavior. Other video games have been discovered to enhance a three dimension perception of the world which assists surgeons better their practice especially in the keyhole surgery.
References
BBC. (2016). Can Video Games be Good for You. Retrieved from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zcs76fr
Gee, J. P. (2007). Good video-games + good learning : collected essays on video-games, learning and literacy. New York: M. Berlin Brussels Vienna Oxford .
Granic, I. (2013). Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds. American Psychological Association.
UNC. (2016). Positive effects of video games on society. Retrieved from University of North Carolina: http://positivevideogaming.web.unc.edu/sample-page/
