How Digital Gaming Impacts and Adolescents Behavior: Negative and Positive Consequences

Positive and Negative Consequences of Digital Gaming
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Positive and Negative Consequences of Digital Gaming
In the modern era of technology, daily interactions and processes continue to be digitalized. Games are a popular event in almost all societies, and its digitalization has seen widespread acceptance across the world. More people, including children, compete in video games both as a pass-time activity and for entertainment purposes. Video games gained considerable popularity, and as a result, many players continue to indulge in sports. This engagement has led to the transformation of video games from an entertainment activity to other areas in life. Some of these areas that video games have penetrated include education and promoting social relationships. According to some studies, there is a correlation between video games and the player’s behavior (Hellström, Nilsson, Leppert, & Åslund, 2012; Quwaider, Alabed & Duwairi, 2019; Eijnden et al., 2018). However, other studies dispute this relationship (Rutger et al., 2017; Dumrique, & Castillo, 2018). Video games affective the adolescents’ cognitive behavior and hence has a direct impact on their behavior. Despite the arguments raised, most of the studies confirm that online games have both positive and negative effects on the players. In some ways, these games may help children develop pro-social behavior, and in other ways, they may make these children isolate themselves and become social misfits.
Digital games have a wide range of benefits, which range from educational to social, and spatial ability skills. Modern schools are utilizing online videos in teaching difficult concepts to their children. Besides, when children play video games, they do not only engage in learning as they are exposed to new information, but also develop their social skills. The children interact during these events, albeit online and may learn one or two things from their competitors. These games encourage competition, and hence children grow up with a competitive spirit and the ability to interact with other children. According to Lobel, Engels, Stone, Burk, and Granic, (2017), modern video games are different from those of the past as they have become more social. Just the same way that other researchers associated online games to violence, some games nurture a child’s pro-social behavior, leading to the development of a more social being. The main difference between contemporary and traditional digital games is that in the past, technology was less advanced, and children could only play games alone. It was impossible to link devices together and participate in the same game together. However, modern technology allows interconnectivity among the devices, which allows rivals to compete in the sport. For example, when two players want to compete in a motor vehicle race, they connect to each other’s devices and race conveniently. Therefore, digital games help students to learn as well as interact with each other.
Another benefit of engaging in online games among adolescents is that it increases their ability to internalize problems. The video games, just like regular sports, are characterized by a high level of anxiety and depression. Each of the playing sides faces a wave of stress as they try to win against their opponents. According to Porter-Armstrong (2013), there is a statistically significant relationship between online gaming and internalization of problems. Playing online games does not only involve handling anxiety but also consists of being able to handle the reality of losing in a game and the joy of winning. Following continuous engagement in online gaming, the players create a positive impression towards loosing and hence able to handle defeat even in real-life situations. These games help them internalize problems and prepare on how to deal with uncertain circumstances. Games are known to evoke negative emotions and frustrations. The ability of these children to control these emotions is crucial for their daily interactions. The games help them to become more persistent in their endeavors and to maintain a positive attitude towards challenges. Children who are ready to take challenges without losing are better placed at succeeding in life and leading others.
The main concern about video games lies in their nature, as violent video games have been associated with violent behavior among adolescents. Ado...