Teens should be Allowed to Play Video Games

In a research study that has been conducted on 1000 children among the age group 12-17, about 970 children play computer, web, portable, or console games (Lenhart et al., 2008). About 500 children said they played video games ""yesterday."" Video games are being played by all age group and genders. There are enormous video games available on the market, both for consoles and computers, which require some type of physical activity. Simulation games that are meant to simulate outdoor sports like soccer and cricket are fun alternatives of these sports and can be played at any time, no matter of the weather outside.

Video games gives your child's brain a real workout. In many video games, the skills required to win or to advance to each successive levels involve high level thinking. These skills are not even taught at school. Many parents worry about too much screen time and the effect that playing violent video games will have on their children. However, the complexity of most video games enhance cognitive skills like problem solving, decision making, reasoning and also improve eye and hand coordination.

Video games has become increasingly popular since its debut in 1958. The first ever video game is created by Physicist William in October 1958. It was a very simple tennis game, similar to the classic1970s video game Pong, and it was quite a hit at a Brookhaven National Laboratory open house. In ""Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games,"" an article in Psychology Today, Peter Gray Ph.D. summarizes his findings of a research study that shows video-game play improves basic mental abilities. Many parents are concerned about the effect of violent video games on their children. This is a legitimate concern, but new research shows that many children do not play violent video games.

Only 30% of the most frequently played video games are violent. Regular video game play can increase your child's mastery, which is very useful for performing day-to-day activities, work functions and playing sports. Children who are shy and lack confidence when socializing with their co-players may have an easier time opening up while playing video games. One of the biggest positive effects video games can have on a person is the fact that they make people happy and gives players a good time. Many studies prove that video games improve job performance, especially for jobs that require good eye-hand coordination (surgeons, drone pilot's etc), attention, excellent working memory, and quick decision-making.

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