Disadvantages of Video Games

Provide a way to develop compassion 
There are a number of games and apps that have been developed to help 
children manage their emotions and encourage kind behaviour, compassion, 
and empathy. See our list of wellbeing apps to learn more. 
Provide a safe context to talk about fears 
Sometimes it can be easier to talk about worries in a virtual context and games 
may provide a safe place for children to express themselves. 
Are a new way to experience stories 
Immersive games can help children experience stories in a more engaged way 
and shape the way the story is told to spark creative skills. 
Create time and space for deeper thinking about topics 
Schools are now using game-based learning more and more to help students 
understand and think about complex topics to help build math skills (i.e. STEM) 
or get to grips with concepts in science. Gamifying learning and allowing 
children to see things in a different way can encourage them to grasps topics 
faster and in a deeper way. 
Negative Effects of Video Games on Children 
The disadvantages of playing video games are also pronounced. Some of them 
include: 
1. Health Issues 
Spending a lot of time playing video games instead of indulging in physical 
activities can be detrimental to a child’s health in several ways. A child’s 
cognitive development may get affected if he doesn’t get out and socialise in 
the real world. Constantly sitting in one place and playing video games at length 
can increase the chances of obesity, weaken the muscles and joints, make hands 

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and fingers numb due to over-exertion, and multiple studies suggest that it can 
even weaken the eyesight. 
2. Academic Issues 
The fun that video games provide is in stark contrast to a typical day in school. 
This can cause kids to prefer video games over anything else, thus pushing them 
to not pay attention to school work. Even outside school, they may skip 
homework or studying for tests and choose video games instead. This can result 
in poor performance and affect their emotional intelligence.