Debate Hour: Are Video Games Actually Unhealthy?

The infamous debate of whether video games are damaging has been doing the rounds recently. With awareness of mental health increasing, video games have been under the spotlight for the damage they can do.

But how can a global hobby be so damaging for somebody? Can it really be as bad as watching films with graphic violence? Or is it worse?

Let's have a brief look at the debates for each side.

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains a conversation about school shootings and addiction.

Games ARE bad for you

This side of the argument is sometimes stereotyped to come from an older generation. People who do not understand the power of video games and the positive effects they can have on somebody's life.

However, there are several scientific reasonings for why these can be so disruptive. Pair that with the subjective experiences some gamers have had and this side becomes quite convincing.

The journal of health psychology did an experiment on people who classed themselves as addicted to gaming. Due to the dopamine released when playing games, it can become an addiction fairly easily.

The study found that people with this addiction had greater levels of loneliness, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, social problems and many other issues.

On a more destructive level, there have also been people going on mass shootings who have linked that to their gaming. The Columbine school shooting was the most media covered of these and the devastating effects still haunt schools in America today.

Games AREN'T bad for you

Despite the study which showed that gaming addiction can lead to psychosocial issues. There are many anecdotal advantages to playing team games online. Many gamers have found groups of friends online when playing.

Forming a clan and competing together can be a form of socialising, even if it isn't in person. For people who may struggle to leave the house, this may be the only socialisation in reach. The World Health Organisation also did research into this and found that

"The study suggests that experiences of competence and social connection with others through play may contribute to people’s well-being."

There are also several studies of games which can help with hand-eye coordination. Even puzzle games can get those cogs whirring and increase cognitive puzzle-solving skills. Games can even become a career for devoted players.

So... is gaming bad for me?

Having too much of a good thing will always be an issue. Adults can face addiction with any item in their life which start as a good thing. This is why the video game debate is always a little hard to get into.

Moderation, a healthy lifestyle, and working to achieve can make gaming healthy. However, without these guidelines in place beforehand, gaming can become a steep slope into addiction or depression.

The dangerous crimes that are committed due to video games can also be a hard topic to cover. As young people's minds are malleable, video games can have an effect on their development. However, video games can also be used as scapegoats to try and relay the blame onto something else.

To sum up, video games are okay as long as they are in moderation. Whilst increasing social and motor skills, they can have a negative effect if too much time is spent on them.