Technology is fun, especially when it comes to playing games on our devices, whether online or offline games. Even in classrooms, we have seen the use of technology to improve learning, making certain topics more understandable for students.
At their leisure, some students prepare to play video games. Online video games are more interesting these days, with multiple players playing to accomplish a mission. This could take hours and we must talk about the negative effects of too much screen time playing online video games.
Research has shown that online video games affect students, directly on their performance. Studies show that some children over the age of six have become addicted to video games.
Addiction to video and online games is believed to have effects and contribute to the mental health and social anxiety that students and even small children face today.
There seems to be a connection between depression, self-esteem, and the time a person spends playing video games.
What is an Online Game?
An online game is regarded as a video game that is played over a computer network. This network is usually the Internet, but games have always used the latest technology: modems before the Internet and hard wires or cable terminals before modems.
Online games can range from simple text environments to games that incorporate complex graphics and virtual worlds that are populated by many players at the same time. Many online games have linked online communities and made online games a form of social activity that goes beyond solo games.
Parents’ views on online games
A lot of parents of teenagers in the United States say their teenage children now play video games more often than ever. Only 13% of parents think their teenage children play more games than others, while 78% think their teenage children play less or about the same as their peers.
Nearly half of parents say gaming hinders teens’ activities outside the home and this is one of the paramount of all the negative effects of online games on students.
Also, 46% say gaming deprives students of sleep time and this is also one of the negative effects that have been discovered in students who play video games.
Excessive gaming can also negatively impact teens’ health, especially if students of adolescent age spend more time playing virtual games than physical activities.
Video games will need children to navigate and manipulate through their own physical activity, and a sedentary child can move, but this will not have an effect that is as much as when exercising.
Positive Effects of Online Games on Students
- Improves cognitive functions: online players can improve their cognitive functions through online games. The combination of concentration and neurotransmitter waves strengthens the brain’s neural circuits.
- Precision and decision making: online players can make quick decisions. Online games train the brain to make quick decisions without losing precision. Without a doubt, you can play these games to judge quickly and accurately.
- Hand and eye function: Online players play their games with maximum hand and eye coordination. For every online game, players must use their hands and eyes for the game to be successful.
- Improve teamwork: online multiplayer games improve teamwork between players. Players will use most of their skills to win the game for their team. The players learn to win as a team.
Also Read: List of Global Competitions for Students
Negative Effects of Online Games on Students
Of course, a good number of people do not want to admit that playing online games can have a positive effect because the negative consequences appear more obvious and serious.
Spending too much time playing games has serious negative effects on students, and can generally lead to the following results:
Lack of time for more important activities like studying or outdoor games
When students spend a lot of time playing video games online, they have no time for other activities, and that’s one of the negative effects of online video games on anybody.
Even college assignments lose priority when a big battle is planned for the night. This leads to poor grades and academic problems. In addition, these students don’t walk around and exhaust their bodies that sit in front of the screen.
Also Read: 10 Best Online Degrees in Early Childhood Education with Certificate
Addiction
One of the serious problems associated with online gaming is addiction. People are obsessed with the virtual world, lose their sense of reality and spend all their time playing.
The addiction is stronger with online games. For instance, an online like MMOG can’t be paused or stopped, so players must be active until the game ends
According to researchers from Standford University, guilt is the main factor influencing players to stay on the game for hours. Online video games are usually played with multiple team players and leaving your teammates online may cause them to lose the game.
Aggressive Behaviour
Many students who play online games are so influenced by the games they play online that they transfer their virtual characters into the real world.
They now get acquainted with solving problems like their evil heroes in the game, and this aggressive game-induced behaviour becomes a habit for them. These outbursts of aggression must be suppressed immediately or can become a habit.
Isolation from society
The online gaming world is an opportunity to seclude oneself from real problems, and students who have a lot of learning problems will find that sense of freedom in games.
They are so involved in the game that they lose their sense of reality and cut themselves off from society. This leads to the absence of real human friends, the inability to be real and solve real problems, to communicate, and to be involved in society.
Also Read: 21 Schools for Special Needs to Pay Attention to
Harmful impact on health.
One of the Negative effects of online games on students is the fact that it is harmful to their health. Sitting a long time in front of the computer screen, tablet or mobile phone screen is extremely harmful to the health of the students.
First, there is a negative impact on the view, which is in constant tension. Sometimes it is necessary to wear headphones constantly so that the ears are under pressure.
The second is the position of the body. A sitting or lying position hurts the back and neck and, if not changed regularly, can lead to health problems.
Further study of video games
Journal Paediatrics found published a journal that states children and students aged 10 to 15 who played video games for a day or less were happier and more content than those who didn’t play video games.
Colleagues in the Mott survey report note that video games designed to encourage teens to play longer provide rewards and feedback related to free playtime. A high percentage of teenage children reported that playing Video games made them feel relaxed and happy, while a high percentage expressed anger and frustration.
Studies have shown that students who play video games like Fortnite and Rocket League have a high vision, this implies they can track multiple mobile objects and see rain and fog when others can’t.
Three-quarters of parents commit to limiting gaming and encouraging other activities (23%) or reward devices a mans to reward teenage children who spend less time playing video games without using hidden devices (14%).
Furthermore, Game consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation are installed with functions that allow for parental controls – this allows you to deactivate access to online games and have control over how your kids play and communicate online, such as whether they use chat or video.
Conclusion
Online games are hugely popular with students looking for new emotions in virtual reality, and it has introduced some effects also.
They take a long time because it’s an ideal way to get rid of stress, strenuous tasks, and annoying roommates. Despite the large number of benefits that come from playing online, you must plan your playing time, otherwise, the negative consequences will outweigh all the benefits.
References on the Negative Effects of Online Video Games to Students
https://blog.noplag.com: Impact Of Online Games On College Students: Pros And Cons
The Journal Paediatrics: https://www.jpeds.com/
Effect of Addiction to Computer Games on Physical and Mental Health of Female and Male Students of Guidance School in City of Isfahan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905489/
2 comments
Seriously wow! You do a good job the whole article.
We appreciate your kind words. Thanks!