Mental Health Vs. Video Games

Video games come in a wide variety of genres that cater to different audiences. While video games for a younger group of kids might include fun sounds, small animals, bright colors, or even an educational game in disguise, the type of game that targets teens are drastically different. Video games have evolved over the years to adapt to the world of teens and their interests, but they also might be one of the biggest factors in the change.

Video games have been noted to have a positive effect on a teen’s eye-hand coordination and increase computer screens, but the effects seen on their mental health have been anything but positive.

Video games get the brain working and focused, training it to be aware of its surroundings and look at the little things. They can enhance multiple cognitive skills; visual processing, memory, reasoning, and perception. It’s fair to mention that many video games require these skills to beat them, especially the shooting games most popular and common among teens. However, the mental toll these games take on the teenage brain may not be worth it.

Studies show that plugged-in teens are commonly prone to display aggressive behavior. Teens who spend the majority of their time playing games, especially violent ones, are more likely to be confrontational with adults, have fights at school, and get poor grades. Even more startling is that these effects on aggressive behavior can be long-lasting.

Video games are not all good, one of the most common results of video games is aggression in teens when exposed to violent video games and, in some cases, teens become addicted to them and can develop anxiety, insomnia, social isolation, and depression.

When looking into the positive versus negative effects of video games on teens and their mental health there are unfortunately more negative impacts that come along with playing these games.

Written by Jadyn Bosket | Graphic Designed by Courtney Gift

Published April 14, 2022 | ePathfinder | Perspectives