Benefits of Video Games

Why Purchase Video Games For Kids?

Are there any benefits of video games? That was my concern when Mark came home with a Play Station 2 and a Star Wars game for Garrett.

Kids playing video games is on the rise, becoming more and more popular teens; leading parents to wonder, why should I let my kids play them?

Parents have become increasingly more worried about the influence that some violent games have on their children. Is all of this “shoot ‘em up” negatively effecting our adolescents who are easily influenced?

Maybe. But I think it all depends on what video game you buy.

Garrett quickly convinced me that it was ok. He said, “How is it any different from watching James Bond, or Bourne? It is what you make it. Don’t take it too seriously. It’s only a game. You obviously aren’t going to go out and do the things in real life. Just because you can drive 80 miles an hour in Ford Racing 3 doesn’t mean that you will do it on real roads. You know that you won’t be running around stabbing people with swords like you do in Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s just for fun!”

We are very particular as to what video game we allow our children to play.

There are some out there that I would not even want in my home!

So, parent, it is your responsibility to know that what you or your child purchases parallels your values.

In his effort to sway me in favor of them, I was informed that one of the benefits of video games is that it improves hand-eye coordination. After playing his Star Wars game myself, I have to admit that it is not easy. Trying to maneuver a spacecraft via my living room chair was most frustrating. Garrett makes it look so easy. After hours of practice, he is able to play that game in the elite mode now.

Researchers found that doctors who spent at least three hours a week playing video games made about 37 percent fewer mistakes in laparoscopic surgery and performed the task 27 percent faster than their counterparts who did not play video games. Maybe the next time you need surgery, ask your doctor what mode he can play Star Wars in!

Another game that Garrett really likes is Age of Empires. He thinks that the planning and strategizing involved is another one of the benefits of video games. It requires critical thinking to determine what would be the best plan of attack. Playing Age of Kings will also teach your children some useful history facts.

To sum it all up, he says, “It’s only a game for fun. If you buy the right game it can also be educational. The benefits of video games far outweigh the disadvantages.”

I think that video games for kids are here to stay. They may not be the most educational resource out there, but they are entertaining making them a nice addition to your homeschool.

I’m content in knowing that when Garrett is home playing his video games, I know exactly where he is AND what he's doing!

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