Game on, but hey… For how long?
The craze of video-mobile gaming continues to reach new heights. With introduction of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), world’s favourite pastime is now more immersive and realistic than ever.
It wouldn’t be out of place to mention that the gaming industry will cross 4 billion dollars in a couple of years! Younger population contributes nearly two-thirds to this extraordinary number.
That brings us to a pressing question – one that is often posed by worrying parents of young students: Will my child go dumb and dull playing video games? Will gaming affect his / her academic and career pursuits?
These are reasonable concerns. Let’s try to address them objectively.
Gaming is not all gloom and doom. There are obvious benefits, such as:
- Enhancement of cognitive functions
- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Use of logic and problem-solving skills
- Prompt decision-making
- Understanding benefits of teamwork
- An eye-for-detail
The flip side of gaming is also real; it could be disadvantageous too. Here’s how:
- Addiction to gaming
- Lack of dedicated focus and concentration
- Gambling issues
- Elevated aggression
- Replacing real-world issues
- Mental and physical health issues
These benefits or disadvantages are not sacrosanct to every gamer. Gaming, like almost every other pastime, is about taking some time out to do something different.
Moreover, it is often misunderstood that gaming – as a thumb rule – will spoil students. It couldn’t be farther from the truth. A student pursuing higher education – Masters, PhD, etc. – in a top international college can be both – an avid gamer and an academic genius.
‘Rationing’ the time for gaming is probably a solid middle ground. To know when its enough and when to stop could be a solution to the address the drawbacks of gaming.
Some may argue that the disadvantages of gaming far outweigh the benefits. They may be right. But eventually, it all boils down to this – whether an activity becomes an addiction, or not. And that is true for any activity – gaming should not be made a scapegoat.
So, game on to refresh your mind. Then get back to the real world.