When you hear the word “gaming,” what comes to mind? Maybe an angry teenage boy yelling slurs over a round of Fortnite? Or a grown man living in his mom’s basement selling his soul hours on Terraria? Perhaps a casual game of Roblox among friends? This topic’s a controversial one, and I’m here to debrief both sides of the argument.
The pros
A 2022 study on the benefits of gaming was conducted by the National Institute of Health. 200 children were split in 2 groups, one who played 3 hours or more a day, and the other none at all. Here are the results of the children who gamed:
- Better reaction time
- Better cognitive skills
- Improved memory
They also debunked the notion that kids who played videogames were more violent and aggressive.
My personal take
As a child who had unlimited access to her iPad, I was a pretty intense gamer. Coming from a retired hardcore gamer, I’d say that gaming:
- Familiarize myself with the keyboard. This is important because high school exams are heavy with the idea of being a fast typer, and also I can get my ideas quickly down.
- Helped me meet people from all over the world and explore different cultures
- Build teamwork skills
- Exposed me to lots of different situations where I’d never been in real life, which I’d say contributed to my creativity.
- Stress-relieving outlet
The cons
According to an article from Harvard’s Health Institute, gaming has a lot of detrimental effects too. Here’s a brief list;
- Heavy link to obesity
- Eye strain, poor eyesight
- Finger inflexibility
- Gaming addiction
- Withdrawal from real life
- Lack of discipline
My personal take #2
Remember how I said retired hardcore gamer? Aside from the fact I grew out of the habit, I quit because I could see those side effects listed above taking shape. Here are some more I observed myself,
- Putting off sleep to spend more time playing
- Brightness sensitivity
- Existential crisis stemming from “Am I in a game right now”
- Pointless online arguments
Sometimes I regret not putting in those hours in front of a screen into something more meaningful. Other kids were out making their parents proud winning trophies and awards, and there I was throwing fists with someone over a Lego game. Nonetheless, playing videogames contributed to a large portion of my childhood, and I believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today without those experiences from gaming and sheer hours I gave to it.
So.. is it a waste of time?
Similar to many things in life, it’s all about balance. Without a set limit before sessions, you’re easily prone to the negative effects of gaming. However, gaming in moderation can be equally beneficial, and there’s nothing wrong with hopping on a game you find comforting. Maybe the question isn’t if it’s a waste of your time, but rather if you’re in control of your time.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-health-effects-of-too-much-gaming-2020122221645