Violent Video Games Are Suitable for Teenagers
Currently, there are more than 1.8 billion video gamers, and the numbers keep increasing (“Number Of Gamers Worldwide 2021 | Statista” par 3). Among them, the Pew Research Center reports that 84% of American teens have a game console or can access one (Perrin 4). Also, 85% of all the games have some form of violence. Hence, there are debates concerning the implications of violent games on gamers, especially teenagers. There are both myths and facts which have led to legal considerations regarding banning or promoting violent games in states such as California. Violent video games are suitable for teenagers since they have mental health benefits, improve cognition, fosters the learning of some life skills.
Playing video games relieves stress and relaxes the mind, which has underlying mental health benefits. Research has found that gamers have the emotional intelligence that has a negative correlation with detrimental mental conditions such as depression and anxiety (Kircaburun et al. 7). Besides, video games trigger feels good hormones and boost moods like any other sport (Granic et al. 66). Hence, violent video games have mental health benefits among teenagers.
The gameplay experience in video games improves cognition among teens. Gamers must understand their gaming environment and the implications of their playing decisions regarding winning or losing. Constant analysis of situations in gameplay helps teen gamers to develop efficient cognition (Granic et al. 67). The cognitive trait is demanded most in violent video games since they game-life threatening. Hence, they improve teens’ cognitive abilities.
Video games foster learning capabilities for teen gamers. Gameplay has a challenging environment that demands gamers to learn in it to increases the chances of a win. According to Dye et al. (1), the gaming experience is less forgiving for mistakes done, which may challenge teens to learn the cause and effects of play decisions or predict outcomes of situations. Also, since most games allow multiplayer, teens interact with gamers from all over the world and learn social skills such as intercultural relations, new languages, and teamwork (Rudis, and Poštić 120). Therefore, violent video games foster the learning of some life skills.
To sum up, violent video games are suitable for teenagers since they improve their mental health, enhance their cognitive skills, and they are a viable avenue to learn some life skills. The beneficence arises from the constant need to analyze situations in gameplay, made decisions, and receive implications of those decisions. Besides, the multiplayer gameplay brings many gamers together, which impact life skills.
Works Cited
“Number Of Gamers Worldwide 2021 | Statista”. Statista, 2017, https://www.statista.com/statistics/748044/number-video-gamers-world/. Accessed 20 Apr 2020.
Dye, Matthew W.G. et al. “Increasing Speed Of Processing With Action Video Games.” Current Directions In Psychological Science, vol 18, no. 6, 2009, pp. 321-326. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01660.x. Accessed 20 Apr 2020.
Granic, Isabela et al. “The Benefits Of Playing Video Games.”. American Psychologist, vol 69, no. 1, 2014, pp. 66-78. American Psychological Association (APA), doi:10.1037/a0034857. Accessed 20 Apr 2020.
Kircaburun, Kagan et al. “Trait Emotional Intelligence And Internet Gaming Disorder Among Gamers: The Mediating Role Of Online Gaming Motives And Moderating Role Of Age Groups.” International Journal Of Mental Health And Addiction, 2019. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1007/s11469-019-00179-x. Accessed 20 Apr 2020. Perrin, Andrew. “5 Facts About Americans And Video Games”. Pew Research Center, 2018, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/17/5-facts-about-americans-and-video-games/.