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Are video games for children good or bad?

It's true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information. But too much video game playing may cause problems. It's hard to get enough active play and exercise if you're always inside playing video games.
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Are video games good for kids yes?

Can Playing Video Games Be Good for Kids? Some games might improve kids' hand–eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Video games that require kids to move or manipulate the game through their own physical movement can get sedentary kids moving — but not as much as if they actually played outside or did sports.
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What are the negative effects of video games on children?

Spending excessive time playing these games can lead to:
  • Less time socializing with friends and family.
  • Poor social skills.
  • Time away from family time, school work, and other hobbies.
  • Lower grades.
  • Less reading.
  • Less exercise and becoming overweight.
  • Decreased sleep and poor quality sleep.
  • Aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
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Do video games affect child development?

Video games can have a negative effect on a child's development. This is particularly related to aspects of violence, antisocial behaviors and increased aggressive thoughts and feelings.
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Are video games good or bad kids brains?

Functional MRI brain imaging analyses found that children who played video games for three or more hours per day showed higher brain activity in regions of the brain associated with attention and memory than did those who never played.
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Are Video Games GOOD for Kids?

Do video games affect kids mental health?

Video gaming effects on mental health

The general consensus is that a child is more likely to display depression symptoms the more time they spend playing video games. Additionally, the World Health Organization designated video game addiction as a mental disease in 2018.
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Do kids who play video games have higher IQ?

Video games increase intelligence

The results showed that those children who spent an above-average amount of time playing video games increased their intelligence by approximately 2.5 IQ points more than the average.
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What are the symptoms of too much video games at kids?

They may have depression, anxiety, shyness, aggression, and problems with too much cell phone use. Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be particularly vulnerable.
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How many hours of video games is OK for kids?

Put clear limits on your child's gaming.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests time allotted should be under 30 to 60 minutes per day on school days and 2 hours or less on non- school days.
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What happens when kids play video games too long?

Excessive video game use can lead to the brain being revved up in a constant state of hyperarousal. Hyperarousal looks different for each person. It can include difficulties with paying attention, managing emotions, controlling impulses, following directions and tolerating frustration.
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Do video games cause stress in kids?

Video games have been shown to improve executive functioning skills and reduce stress in children who play. They are also a great way for children to interact with friends and even family members in a time where real-life interactions may not be possible.
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Do video games cause behavior issues?

Increased aggression, which could indicate kids learning violence from gaming. Change in behavior, such as increased social isolation or a decline in grades at school. Irritability. Difficulty sleeping.
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Do video games affect mental health?

Gaming Causes Poor Emotional Regulation

One of the biggest negative effects of video games can lead you to struggle with regulating your emotions properly. Studies show that people diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder are more likely to be aggressive, depressed, and anxious.
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How do games affect the brain?

Just 10–20 minutes of violent gaming can increase activity in the brain regions associated with arousal, anxiety, and emotional reaction, while simultaneously reducing activity in the frontal lobes associated with emotion regulation and executive control.
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What are the pros and cons of video games?

Video games can be used to help improve test scores, teach life and job skills, improve brain function, and encourage physical exercise. Because video game addiction can negatively impact social and physical health, parents should be aware of the symptoms.
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Are video games addicting to kids?

And some kids who play video games meet the clinical criteria for an “addiction” in this sense. Video games dominate their lives. Playing gives them a sense of euphoria, or at least a sense of relief from unpleasant feelings. Kids experience “withdrawal” if they are denied access to games.
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What are the signs of gaming addiction?

Signs to Watch For
  • Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time.
  • Feeling bad when you can't play.
  • Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good.
  • Not being able to quit or even play less.
  • Not wanting to do other things that you used to like.
  • Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming.
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Should I let my child play video games everyday?

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no more than two hours of screen time. Keeping your child's console in another room can help you monitor their time easier. Know what they're playing. Stay informed about the games your child's playing.
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Is taking away video games a good punishment?

Taking away video-games (or TV, or a toy…) doesn't work? Say it ain't so! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the tried-and-true discipline method of taking away video-games, a favorite toy, or whatever else, is largely ineffective and, in fact, counter-productive.
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What are 3 symptoms of video game addiction?

Symptoms of video game addiction include:
  • Being preoccupied with playing video games.
  • Having trouble cutting down on video game use.
  • Using video games as a way of coping with unwanted emotions.
  • Losing of interest in other activities due to gaming.
  • Lying about how much time you spend gaming.
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Why is my son always playing video games?

Video Games Trigger Dopamine Release

However, over time, our brain gets used to these levels of dopamine. Similar to caffeine, we need more and more over time to have the same amount of fun. That is one of the mechanisms through which video games become addictive, and why your son might be obsessed with video games.
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What age do you get bad at video games?

Oh, and it doesn't matter if you're the best gamer in the world, either; the study shows that, regardless of your skill level, when you reach the ripe old age of 24, your in-game talents are going to start to crumble due to cognitive decline.
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Are video games better for kids than TV?

But a new study shows video games could lead to better cognitive performance in kids. Researchers examined brain imaging data from more than 2,000 kids aged 9 and 10 years old. That's the largest group of kids used in a video game study to date.
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Can video games have a positive effect?

The most notable positive effects of gaming include:

Increased hand-to-eye coordination. Greater multi-tasking ability. Faster and more accurate decision-making. Enhanced prosocial behaviors.
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Does gaming improve your brain?

Gaming is really a workout for your mind disguised as fun. Studies have shown that playing video games regularly may increase gray matter in the brain and boost brain connectivity. (Gray matter is associated with muscle control, memories, perception, and spatial navigation.)
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