IMPACT OF VIDEO GAMES ON ADOLESCENCE 2 The Impact of Video Games on Adolescence Name Institution Running head: IMPACT OF VIDEO GAMES ON ADOLESCENCE 1 Abstract For the past couple of years, computers and video games are among the most preferred and desired activities for relief and leisure. Psychological researchers have been in a long time been striving to ascertain the impact, originating from personal and inherent influencers on behavior among youth, in comparison to surrounding influencers. With continued research, interest and desire grew towards the capacity of the media, including video games, have in the blossoming behavioral changes among the youth. With higher weight on the effect of violent media in the shaping of hostile behavior and nature among adolescents. Not long ago, research conducted has been able to determine and establish the adverse effects, violent games have influenced adolescents. Recently, violent video games have been reported to impact prosocial behaviors such as empathy, self-control, etc. negatively and positively affect hostile behavior among adolescents. In an effort by researchers to determine the effect of playing video games on the aggressive nature and prosocial behavior, video games had a substantial direct and indirect impact on individual behaviors. The findings yielded in various prevention and intervention approaches to curtail hostile behavior and encourage prosocial behavior. Introduction Video games provide the opportunity for participants to feel part of the gaming script. New games with the advancement in technology, have become complicated, requiring more and constant attention on particular video games. In comparison to series, TV shows, players tend to relate more emotionally and physically towards the video games. Video games affect positively and negatively the teens. In the modern era of technology video games are considered complementary to adolescents. Research depicts the majority of youth play video games approximately on daily basis. Video games availed in the more recent past, have raised concern on whether they are suitable for consumption for the teens and adolescents. Some nations, have even participated in monitoring and regulating of violent and offensive video games. Violent video games have recently gained popularity among the youth, with research experts blaming violent content in video games regarding the adopted aggressive nature among the youth observed lately. The current situation among the increasing cases of violence between the adolescents cannot solely blamed on the violent video games, mental health and various social influences have been found potential contributors (Gentile & Thomas, 2016, pp. 39). Notwithstanding the extensive research carried out, no consensus established on whether youth hostility is direct as a result of engaging in violent video games. Various cynics have spotted correlation between aggressive behavior among the youth cou ...

1. IMPACT OF VIDEO GAMES ON ADOLESCENCE 2
The Impact of Video Games on Adolescence
Name
Institution
Running head: IMPACT OF VIDEO GAMES ON
ADOLESCENCE 1
Abstract
For the past couple of years, computers and video games
are among the most preferred and desired activities for relief
and leisure. Psychological researchers have been in a long time
been striving to ascertain the impact, originating from personal
and inherent influencers on behavior among youth, in
comparison to surrounding influencers. With continued
research, interest and desire grew towards the capacity of the
media, including video games, have in the blossoming
behavioral changes among the youth. With higher weight on the
effect of violent media in the shaping of hostile behavior and
nature among adolescents.
Not long ago, research conducted has been able to determine
and establish the adverse effects, violent games have influenced
adolescents. Recently, violent video games have been reported
to impact prosocial behaviors such as empathy, self-control, etc.
negatively and positively affect hostile behavior among
adolescents. In an effort by researchers to determine the effect

2. of playing video games on the aggressive nature and prosocial
behavior, video games had a substantial direct and indirect
impact on individual behaviors. The findings yielded in various
prevention and intervention approaches to curtail hostile
behavior and encourage prosocial behavior.
Introduction
Video games provide the opportunity for participants to
feel part of the gaming script. New games with the advancement
in technology, have become complicated, requiring more and
constant attention on particular video games. In comparison to
series, TV shows, players tend to relate more emotionally and
physically towards the video games. Video games affect
positively and negatively the teens. In the modern era of
technology video games are considered complementary to
adolescents. Research depicts the majority of youth play video
games approximately on daily basis.
Video games availed in the more recent past, have raised
concern on whether they are suitable for consumption for the
teens and adolescents. Some nations, have even participated in
monitoring and regulating of violent and offensive video games.
Violent video games have recently gained popularity among the
youth, with research experts blaming violent content in video
games regarding the adopted aggressive nature among the youth
observed lately. The current situation among the increasing
cases of violence between the adolescents cannot solely blamed
on the violent video games, mental health and various social
influences have been found potential contributors (Gentile &
Thomas, 2016, pp. 39).
Notwithstanding the extensive research carried out, no

3. consensus established on whether youth hostility is direct as a
result of engaging in violent video games. Various cynics have
spotted correlation between aggressive behavior among the
youth could be possible from influencers such as mental health
and other social influencers. Also, despite the accusations
regarding the negative influence of video games on academic
excellence, such findings have been found inadequate. On
research conducted recently in respect of the above statement,
the disparities among academic performance were almost
insignificant in relation to the frequency of video gaming
(Boxer & Docherty, 2015, pp 672).
More recently, there has been an emergence of interest in games
supporting learning, positive attitude development, skill
development, etc. Roughly about half youth were acclaimed to
prefer games with violent content, while a smaller portion
preferred educational video games with less violent content. In
this paper, we will examine both positive and negative impacts
that accrue among adolescents and young adults.
Majority of adolescents and teens have argued that video games
create and avail the opportunity to break away from the various
occurrences within their life cycle. A large portion of
adolescents tends to get rid of their issues lingering on their
minds through the assassination of fictional characters. Also,
violent games have made the youth more tolerable to violence.
Teacher reports have also shown cases of difficulties in
concentration and poor sleeping patterns. Video games that
promote prosocial characteristics, the young adults tend to be
more helpful and express empathy. However, video games with
violent content have shown to be significant influencers of
violence among adolescents. The reoccurrence of extreme
patterns has proven a useful tool to enhance violent behavior
among youths.
Beginning with the positive effects;
Positive effects of video games on adolescence
To the surprise of many, video games do possess positive
impact on teens and youths. Among the most recognized

4. favorable results towards teen include; the ability to enhance
manual dexterity and enhance computer literacy. Here are some
of the positive impacts;
Enhance learning capabilities; Contradicting the previous
perception, video games are more likely to strengthen and
improve on memory, visual comprehension, better
concentration, better decision making through limiting
distractions etc. In recent research, video games avail favorable
effects also derived from academic courses, as it enhances the
capability of the teen to be able to think through various
phenomenon critically.
Eye and hand symbiosis; In respect to the shooter type of video
gaming console, they aid in the development and coordination
of the players’ eyes and hands. There are games, to be
proficient in them require absolute mastery of such coordination
of the eyes and hands. According to the shooter of games,
accurate tracking and precision of speed, and focus are of
utmost importance and require mastery. The brain performs a
vital role in organizing, collecting the data, and making the
right moves using the hands.
Accurate intelligence; While playing video games, it entails
mainly making decisions and best ones to that fact to aid in
desirable results. Some of the choices are required within split
seconds, as every second count and to be yield desirable
outcome thus require split second accuracy. Constant attention
goes hand in hand with accurate thinking, undivided attention
aid in mastery of any slight changes that would influence your
decision making (Coyne & Stockdale, 2018).
Capability to derive solutions for difficulties; As earlier
discussed majority of videogames require decision-making
procedures. Games that entail speed, aim, and precision, require
accurate and critically thought out decisions while maintaining
undivided attention. Right decisions provide a solution to
difficulties presented during various levels. Adolescents when
they engage and participate in strategic games, it massively aids
in the skill that assists in solving of challenges presented in

5. each level.
To ward off restlessness and improve on mood; In comparison
to violent games, there are games which will enhance the mood
and help in containing anxiety; such games include angry birds.
Recent research termed it an essential emotional benefit, teens
derive happiness when engaging in video games. The games
involve various levels, which in turn require different levels of
skill and attention, upon failure, one can retry, in turn, enable
youths to cope with failures even in real life.
Enhance the theory of progressive thinking; In conjunction with
developing learning abilities as discussed earlier, teens who
participate in games that entail great thinking, for example,
puzzles, promote the ideology of incremental intelligence.
Through engaging in different engaging problems, adolescents
can gain mastery and more knowledge with endeavor and time.
Video games enable the development of creativity. Research has
been able to correlate greater creativity with video gaming, in
spite of age, race, and gender. Every human being have needs,
including psychological needs, teens who play video games tend
to derive happiness as they engage in gaming activities.
Additionally, he/he can gain mastery and share accomplishment
over the online platform, if the teen participates in multiplayer
gaming media. Due to competitiveness, he derives satisfaction
and the feeling of being an accomplisher (Verheijen &
Cillessen, 2019, pp.301).
Some games also provide good work out sessions. Such
video games include Nintendo Wii Boxing. They give a regular
workout similar to walking several miles. Video games also aid
in development of eyesight to some extent. According to
research conducted, it established through playing games the
brain can train the eyes to take keen note of small changes,
details, and slight light temperatures. With further studies,
video games enhanced the structure of the brain. Videogamer
minds, when examined, and portion involved in attention were
found more efficient and parts correlated to visuospatial skills
were also improved and worked efficiently. In contrary to

6. misperception of the majority, video games are not significantly
contributing to rise in mental illnesses, rather they act as a
preventive element, mostly towards peer relationship issues
among teens.
Resource management and planning, video gamers utilize
resources which are limited and make appropriate decisions on
how to exploit such resources. Example of such games includes
Railroad Tycoon. In research conducted by, The American
Planning Association, established majority of SimCity players
were inspired to pursue a career in urban planning and
architecture. Positive effects regarding video games are rooted
in the type of genre of video games chosen. Violent games tend
to possess more adverse effects than pleasant ones.
Adverse effects of video games on adolescence
As discussed earlier, video games possess both positive and
negative impact on the development of young adults. Adverse
effects, on the other hand, is mainly correlated with the amount
of effort and time put on the video game. Here are some of the
hostile effects;
Hostility among adolescents; In conjunction with video games
containing violent content, they are the root cause of aggression
among young adults. According to a comprehensive meta-
analysis, research has established violent video games are
natural element for hostility in behavior among adolescents.
Various research has argued, prolonged exposure to video
games can even numb kids and the youth towards hostility and
also lower prosocial behavior such as empathy.
Obsession with gaming; Prolonged exposure to video gaming
time can lead to addiction. Addicted gamers are most likely to
be introverts, can sprout anxiety and depression. In turn, as the
teen tries to cope with restlessness and social phobia, they tend
to rely more on video games. In such cases, the factors tend to
influence each other (Boxer & Docherty, 2015, pp.673).
Faulty academic excellence; Video games if not appropriately
regulated, can to some extent, influence the performance of
teens in their studies in school. Research and further studies

7. have established that prolonged hours taken into gaming can
negatively impact academic performance in school. Research
concluded that almost half of adolescent player's obsessive with
playing, generally perform poorly in school, while slightly
below a quarter of teens who are light users are likely to
perform better in respective academic fields.
Unfavorable effect on fitness; Since most video games require
sitting and less of physical activity, excessive gaming can
favorably affect one’s health, as more time spent on virtual
video games. Recent reports have indicated an increase in
obesity levels among adolescents with little to no time engage
in physical activities with majority being pathological gamers.
Adolescents have also been found to forfeit adequate sleep and
food a result of an obsession to video games. The rays also
emitted from the use of huge plasma screens, and prolonged
exposure of such rays can seriously affect the eyesight abilities
in the long term (Coyne & Thomas, 2016, pp.41).
Engaging in violent gaming such as call of duty, by research,
increases gray matter in the region of the caudate nucleus while
inhibiting the same in the hippocampus region of the brain.
Deficient gray matter in the latter area tends to give rise to
illnesses such as schizophrenia. In comparison, Super Mario
video games have shown to exhibit vice versa. Earlier research
established and ascertained video games improve to some
extents concentration among teens, contrary to the stated fact
above, recent research found video games, to some extent
hinder adolescent’s concentration, adolescents here tend to
concentrate short term but affect long-term durations.
According to Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and
Family Relationships in Digital Age: teens and youth engaging
in video games should be minimized and at best completely
reduced, in case of trips. Adolescents should be able to be
given freedom to be able to deal with anxieties, talk to fellow
siblings or relatives, receive reassurance from their guardians
and availed sufficient space and time to daydream. Adolescents
who tend to engage in more than one hour of video gaming time

8. are more likely to suffer from ADHD, as compared to those who
don't engage in any kind of gaming console. The negative
influence also affects adolescents in academic during school
hours. During participating in video games, players tend to
acquire foul language and unacceptable behavior from members
who might share the same online gaming platform. Video games
also tend to alternate fantasy with reality (LeBourgeois &
Buxton, 2017).
Conclusion
Majority of teens and adolescents are now more than ever
exposed to video games. Statistics show more than three-
quarters of teens around U.S play and engage in video games.
The well-liked form of media came with its sets of pros and
cons toward the users, mainly adolescents and young adults.
Video games range from prosocial to violent games.
Unfortunately, the majority of youth and teens prefer violent
games, including Shooters type of games. Prompting rise in
aggression reported among teenagers and adolescents lately.
Violent games have contributed to some extent hostility among
tees but also in conjunction with other factors ranging mental
illness, gender diversity, etc. Adolescents tend to show more
empathy and assist in their daily activities if they engage in
video games promoting prosocial tasks.
Despite weaknesses in approach in the meta-analysis, there was
evidence to support poor development among adolescents, to
possess positive correlation with hostile media consumption.
Positive effects of video games mainly anchored on the type of
rating on the video game. Hostile games possess more
adversities than benefits. Some of the positive impacts of video
gaming include, prosocial games e.g. puzzles enhance empathy
among players while educational games improve interactive
skills and cognitive abilities among adolescents. Video games
also tend to relax teens from anxiety and improve moods of
adolescents, for example, Angry Birds. Improve manual
dexterity, through coordination of mouse and keyboard young
adults master shortcuts to enhance fast responses.

9. Adverse effects also rooted in the amount of exposure to gaming
consoles. The adverse effects include unfavorable health
diversities, through prolonged exposure o harmful rays towards
the young developing teens, etc. Parent education concerning
video games should entail ways to monitor and select gaming
ratings to avoid and curb negative effects from videogames
(Padilla-Walker & Memmott-Elison, 2018 pp.301).
References
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do indeed influence children and adolescents’ aggression,
prosocial behavior, and academic performance: A clearer
reading of Ferguson (2015). Perspectives on Psychological
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Coyne, S. M., Warburton, W. A., Essig, L. W., & Stockdale, L.
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