Video Games

Video games were first introduced in the 1970s and have now become an invariable source of fun and entertainment for children. This virtual world has become a place of fantasy, where they are rewarded for every game they win. Nowadays, video games can be seen in almost all homes, with children having their own individual video game consoles and play stations. There are basically five varieties of video games including sports, general entertainment, fantasy violence, educational games and human violence.

Positive Effects of Video Games on Children

Video games that have educational content have been proven to have a positive effect on children. Such games make learning fun and entertaining. Even educational institutions encourage these kinds of games where children learn problem-solving skills while playing. Research has found that all video games, including those that have violence, need the children to think about ways and methods to reach their goals. This teaches them the ability to plan and handle complex situations.

Video games are interactive games where the child has to practice more and more in order to be the best. They go back to them again and again because it gives them a sense of achievement. Moreover, playing video games helps in the development of their perceptual, cognitive and motor skills and abilities.

Negative Effects of Video Games on Children

Although video games have certain advantages, studies have shown some negative effects of video games on children. Various research studies have shown a relation between aggressive behaviour and playing video games that have violence in them. Indulging in games that have a lot of shooting and killing is said to increase the emotion of anger in children, leading to aggressive behaviour in real life. Further, as their act of violence is rewarded in the world of gaming, they may become motivated to repeat it in real life. Video games hook the children to their consoles as repetitive playing and winning boosts their morale. They start feeling that shooting and killing are normal and do not even feel guilty about beating or clobbering siblings or peers.

Video games also have negative effects on the physical health of children. Sitting for hours before the video game consoles can increase the risk of obesity, muscular diseases and as well as skeletal and postural disorders in children. Other more severe health effects of video games include increased heart rate and blood pressure. Video games are definitely fun and entertaining and are also good for relieving tension. However, too much indulgence can lead to addiction to video games which can have physical as well as psychological effects on children.

PlayStation

PlayStation is a video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment. Currently in its 8th generation, the PS4 is the best selling console this generation. It features lots of family-friendly games like Ratchet and Clank and popular games like God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn; a brand new dual-shock controller and many accessories to make gaming exciting.

Xbox

Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. It is a very popular alternative to the PlayStation. The current generation of Xbox features loads of entertainment features, applications, popular games like the Halo, Gears of War and Ori series. Microsoft has also released several accessories that make playing possible for persons with disabilities like the Xbox Adaptive controller.

Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by Nintendo. The most family-friendly of the bunch, it features mostly family-friendly and popular game franchises like Super Mario Bros, Pokemon, Zelda, Kirby and Animal crossing. There are currently two versions of the Switch: The Switch and Switch Lite.