Since the 80s, young and old have enjoyed video games. The Atari was the first gaming console that really made it big, setting a course for all of the game systems that have come since. From the time video games became popular, there have been some concerns about how video games might impact developing minds and the health of young people. There are also some advantages to video games. Here are six of them:
1 Improve Creativity
Not all video games are mindless and/or violent. There are many games that allow the player to create, learn, and develop management skills. In addition to games that help with learning, there are many games that help young people understand strategy and skills in competition. Although video games aren’t real, many of the basic principles that are required to win or be successful in games can apply to real life situations.
2 Promote Physical Exercise
It’s true, video games help kids develop many skills mentally, and there are some games that are great for physical exercise. With the Wii or Kinect, many games available on the market encourage kids to move around and exercise as they play. If a game is fun enough, it can help your kids get the exercise needed every day for a healthy lifestyle.
3 Teach About Rules and Success
Kids can learn about the value of rules from games. If players don’t learn or abide by rules, they aren’t successful. Learning why the rules or principles of playing a game is important for success can also translate into having a determination to do the same for learning the principles for success in real life.
4 Teach About Being a Team Player
The success of many video games relies on the ability of each player to work well within a team. More and more games are geared towards team efforts, and this can also help kids learn the importance of being able to work with others to get things done.
5 Great for Family Time
As was mentioned above, there are many games that involve working with other players and planning different strategies. It can be fun to gather the whole family together for a video game that allows for a lot of different activities. Similar to playing board games, video games can be challenging and a fun way to spend time with people you love.
6 Learn About the Video Games Your Kids Play
Parents do need to pay attention to the kind of games they allow their kids to play. Learn about the games your kids want before buying them. You don’t have to say yes to every game. Only buy your children games your comfortable with.
As you determine whether or not you want to allow your kids to play video games, remember that there are plenty of games that are not violent or negative in other ways. If you are paying attention to the amount of time your kids spend playing games, you can ensure that they aren’t spending too much time on them. Video games can be fun and positive with the right approach to them.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing about family and spending time with her dog, Max. Information credited to UT Coin Traders.