Are video games harmful? Many argue that they are, and many argue that they are not. Which side is right? The most appropriate answer is: it depends. On the one hand, video game addiction is currently one of the biggest problems in the world. It also affects China so much that a law was recently passed requiring people under the age of 18 to play less than 90 minutes on weekdays and only 3 hours on weekends. On the other hand, beyond simply being how people like to spend their free time, video games can often be a stress reliever or even work with one's reflexes and brain stimulation. Most people who are not addicted to video games can easily manage their time so that gaming does not affect their daily life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While there are many arguments in favor of the harmful effects of playing video games on its participants, there are also many positive aspects to what video games are capable of offering. Video games offer a unique opportunity to bond with friends and family in a way that few other things do. They can also provide a temporary escape from the stresses of everyday life. When used in a positive and healthy way, as well as in moderation, the benefits that video games can and do offer are almost endless. Using the interactive and engaging platform that most video games provide, discoveries have been made of how video games could be used positively in education, be it with spelling, math, reading, science, etc. If there is an idea, then there is potential. It has also been shown that people who play video games have greater hand-eye coordination, as well as better peripheral vision. Video games often require quick thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to win. Many genres include puzzles and even strategy games that stimulate the mind in a way that could only be beneficial. Many studies that claim that violence in video games is linked to increased aggression are often incorrect, when in reality the opposite of this argument is more often true. . The act of playing a video game can actually relieve stress and reduce the risk of violence (cathartic therapy). In 2011, during Brown vs. Entertainment Merchants Association, the Supreme Court ruled that violence in video games is not linked to increased aggression. Justice Antonin Scalia even said that studies showing a link between violence in video games and increased aggression “have been rejected by every court to consider them, and with good reason: they do not prove that violent video games induce minors to act aggressively." There are also statistics that show that as sales of violent video games increase, youth crime rates begin to plummet. Almost all young people play violent video games. This is a fact, often used in arguments against video games. The fact that some “gamers,” as they are often called, commit violent crimes should not be so casually linked. It's as if I said something like "almost everyone who has robbed a bank has eaten ice cream, so eating ice cream puts you at greater risk of robbing a bank." This would be a relatively unsurprising fact, but when it is distorted and abused it becomes twisted and false. There are days when I come home after a long day and I just need itof the opportunity to turn everything off, or to turn it off. I have a handful of hobbies that I turn to when I need a fix like that, and video games happen to be one of them. I know from experience that when I use this relaxation method I feel refreshed and ready to take on a new challenge. It allows me to put all my stress aside, even if just for a moment, and then come back to it when I'm ready. Video games also provide the opportunity for bonding between my siblings and me. Whether we talk about it or play together, many happy moments have arisen that we have all shared together. Playing video games, when used in moderation, can be very beneficial for anyone. Whether they simply need a few moments to relax or want to spend some time bonding with cousins, it can be a wonderful creative outlet. If you were to look at a list of the fifty best-selling video games, you'll notice that more than half of them contain violence in some form; while the APA, American Psychology Association, has described violent video games as a risk factor for an increase in aggressive behavior; and nearly 97% of children in the United States have played a video game at some point. With all this in mind, studies have shown that stimulating violence in video games, such as shooting, hand-to-hand combat or swordplay, can increase the likelihood of violence in real life. Many argue that studies linking video game violence to increased aggression are wrong, but how is this possible when most parents, psychologists and pediatricians all agree? So, if this theory is found to be true, how could video games be useful? The answer is simple, they are not. Violent video games lead to a greater possibility of desensitization to violence. As violence becomes normalized as an everyday occurrence, it begins to lose more and more meaning and may have little impact on the player. Desensitization can lead to a decrease in empathy which has been directly linked to aggressive behavior. Addiction is a prevalent occurrence among gamers. It's all too easy to sit down intending to play for just an hour, when suddenly it's been six instead. There are many, many stories of video games consuming a person's life. I have seen this in my experience as it took almost a year of my brother's life. He spent all day, every day, playing. He rarely stopped and when he did it was only for a moment. It started as a casual game of trying to cope with the stresses of life, and slowly began to spiral into a tunnel of never-ending depression. Luckily, he managed to escape in time before it completely destroyed his life, and now he is married and happier than ever; however, such stories don't always go that way. Some people turn to games for comfort and find themselves in a dark, empty place that can be easily healed by a simple, yet difficult choice to make. Video games have the potential to increase aggressive behavior and ruin lives and are in no way beneficial. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay When I started this paper, I was strongly in favor of video games, even though I was already aware of it and often agreed with many of the arguments against it. Surprisingly, by reading even a small amount of information on this topic, my opinion has changed very little. There are many good arguments in favor of both sides and both are supported by numerous studies and statistics. I believe that video games can be very harmful if, 27(3), 409-431.