Live Magazine contributors Jonathan Gutierrez and Ricky During debate the positives and negatives of gaming.
For
Some argue that video games are good for you. Back in 2009, Pop Can researchers found that those who play video games have enhanced visual skills, which means that their visual skills are better than most of the population. In terms of visual skills, they were able to spot details in busy, confusing scenes and could cope with more distractions than the average person.
Not only do video games increase the ability to spot detail in busy scenes but they can also relief stress. 16 year old gamer Steven Prudames, from London, says: “Video games are good for you, especially if you come home stressed out from school or work, if your angry they help you relax, I know because I’m in this situation most of the time”.
People who say that video games are bad for you are just ignorant. How can they talk about COD causing violence or gaming making you stupid when they’ve probably never played any in their lives?
Against
Video games are just for lazy people who don’t wanna get out their seat. Some people may argue that video games relieves them from their stress, but that’s rubbish. I mean, does the guy who’s lost at a game look relaxed?! Gaming stresses people out, so that argument’s gone already.
If you’re interested in getting fit or getting destressed there are a whole heap of things you can do outside of playing the next game companies develop to make you part with your cash. The benefits gained from playing video games are incomparable to those gained from outdoor activities such as playing football, rugby or tennis. Also, prolonged concentration on a screen has been proven to be bad for your eyesight and even a major factor in the number of overweight young people.
Let’s think about it for a minute. When you’re gaming only your fingers are being exercised – not your whole body. If you’re just exercising your fingers, instead of your body, you won’t be ‘fit’ enough for the girls or even the boys. You might think that playing your Xbox, PS3 or WII 1 hour a day is harmless, but what you might not realise is that gaming can be highly addictive. The stress that builds up is caused by all the stress hormones your body releases when you’re playing which you can get addicted to. This then becomes a cycle, not like eating or sleeping because in reality what the video game is doing is causing you to become so lazy that all you will want to do is sit and play, but a cycle that can have a negative effect on your lifestyle.
Ditch your console, and get outside and see some real people instead.
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