Insight International School Dhaka - Grade VI English

Literature

Text type: Article

10 Negative Effects of Video Games

Video games can be a great recreational hobby. However, video game addiction can lead to
several issues. The negative effects of video games include effects on our mind, body
relationships, job performance, and more.

It is important to remember that video games are not inherently evil. Most of the negative
effects of video games arise from excessive use and addiction. Here are ten negative
effects of video games:

1. Dopamine addiction
2. Reduction in Motivation
3. Alexithymia and emotional suppression
4. Repetitive stress injuries and other health risks
5. Poor mental health
6. Relationship issues
7. Social disconnection
8. Exposure to toxic gaming environments
9. Poor academic or professional performance
10. Escapism and getting stuck in life

Let’s explore each of these effects in more detail and look at how we can combat the negative
effects of video games.

Dopamine Addiction

The reward circuitry in your

brain is one of the reasons
video games are fun. Your
brain releases a
neurotransmitter called
dopamine, which regulates the
feeling of pleasure from video
games. When dopamine
activity happens in the nucleus accumbens, the pleasure center of your brains, you feel joy.

When you play video games, your brain releases a constant dopamine supply, with occasional
random bursts. Over time, your brain gets used to this steady supply of dopamine, and the
nucleus accumbens requires even more dopamine release for gaming to feel fun. That
prevents you from enjoying anything that is not as stimulating as a video game.

Even if you try to give up gaming, your mind will attract you to other forms of stimulation, such as
browsing YouTube or scrolling through social media. Simple activities will seem completely
unappealing, and you will not be motivated to do anything that isn’t exciting. That is the height of
dopamine addiction. If you let your gaming habit get out of control, this is a real possibility.

Negative Effects of Video Games on Motivation

Unlike the nucleus

accumbens, we cannot
map the triumph circuit
onto the brain as easily.
It does not localize to one
part of the brain — it’s
just a general pattern of
psychology and cognition
integral to human beings.

The triumph circuit makes us feel good when we overcome a challenge. In evolutionary biology,
there’s a strong story about venturing into the unknown, finding something valuable, overcoming
some kind of problem, and then bringing it back to society. That has shaped social psychology —
we as human beings value people who overcome odds.

Video games have hacked this circuit. They have found a way to deliver all the psychological
rewards that we often seek to gain from the real world. What we want from video games is
often very similar to what we want from life. We want excitement, adventures, friendships,
victories, and status. Games have found a way to serve that to us with little effort on our
end. As a result, a person’s ability to engage the triumph circuit suffers when they can just engage
it with video games.
Negative Effects of Video Games on Emotions

When we experience fear, worry, shame, or other

negative emotions, the amygdala becomes active.
The amygdala is the part of that brain that governs
these negative emotions. It is also integral to our
learning circuitry since it creates connections to the
hippocampus, the center for learning in our brain.

However, fMRI studies have shown that if we start to

play video games when our amygdala is active, it
calms down. The effects of this are two-fold:

 Constant suppression of negative emotions can

lead to a condition called alexithymia. If a person is
alexithymic, then that means that they have trouble
determining their internal emotional state. Alexithymic
people find it hard to pinpoint the emotions that they are feeling. However, that does not mean that
those emotions do not affect their behavior.
 The amygdala is a core part of our learning circuitry. Painful experiences get imprinted onto our
memory, and we learn from them. However, people find it hard to quit playing video games because
their amygdala does not make connections with their hippocampus as smoothly. They don’t learn
from the painful experiences of not doing well in school or at work. Their learning circuitry gets
sabotaged, and it becomes difficult for them to quit gaming.

Negative Health Effects of Video Games

Playing video games is not an unhealthy activity on

its own. However, if done for hours on end, it can
quickly become detrimental to one’s physical health.
Here are some health issues that can arise due to
video game addiction.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) are relatively
common among gamers. Gaming requires strenuous, repetitive motion on the hands and wrists
(sometimes for hours on end). These motions can cause inflammation and injury. Here are some
RSIs that you can develop from gaming:
  Gamer’s thumb is a nickname given to a condition called de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. It is a
condition in which the tendons that move our thumb become inflamed, which leads to pain and
limited movement.
 Trigger finger, also known as Stenosing Tenosynovitis, is a condition in which a finger gets stuck in
a bent position. It may bend or straighten with a snap, like a trigger being pulled or released, hence
the name.
 Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is also a potential RSI that you can develop by gaming too
much. It is a painful condition in which the tendons in the elbow get overloaded, usually due to
repetitive movement of the wrist and arms.
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is another RSI that can be caused by gaming too much. Its characteristic
symptoms are numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand. It occurs due to pressure on the
median nerve. This nerve runs from your forearm into your hand through a part of your wrist called
the carpal tunnel.

Other Physical Health Issues

 We all know the feeling of getting lost for hours in a game, often forgetting to eat, or snacking on
unhealthy foods. It should not be a surprise then, that obesity and malnutrition are risk factors from
gaming too much. There is also some preliminary evidence that excessively playing video games
can lead to obesity in teens.
 Eyestrain is a pervasive issue among gamers. Staring at a screen for hours on end. The eyes focus
much differently on a video screen than any other flat surface, such as a notebook. It is less
strenuous to stare at a notebook because the distance is constant, and the eyes know where to
focus. However, on a video screen, the focus is continually changing, leading to eye fatigue.
It becomes difficult for the eyes to focus on other objects, even after the gaming session is
over.
 A study done on Australian adolescents found that prolonged periods of sitting at a computer could
alter their developing neuromusculoskeletal system. Posture problems are incredibly common
among gamers. The body tries to obtain the least energy-demanding position when it finds itself in
one spot for prolonged periods. As a result, rounded shoulders, head leaned forward, a curved
lower back, and back and neck problems later in life are common among gamers.

Video Games Can Affect the Brain Negatively

Video games do not necessarily lead to mental health

problems. However, you can be at high risk for video
game addiction if you already suffer from depression,
anxiety, or other mental illness. This is due to the way
video games affect your brain.

A study that looked at the effect of gaming on mental

health found that problematic gaming habits correlated
with maladaptive coping strategies, negative emotions,
low self-esteem, a preference for solitude, and poor
school performance.

While one of the benefits of gaming is an increase in the ability to concentrate, excessive gaming
may lead to the opposite. A study done on 3000 children and adolescents from 12 different
schools in Singapore found a bidirectional causality in play between video games and attention
deficit disorders. While excessive gaming could contribute to a lack of long-term concentration
ability, it is also likely that children who already show signs of attention deficit disorders would be
more attracted to video games, due to the variety of experiences they can provide.

Relationship Issues

Relationship issues resulting from playing too many

video games is a common issue among gamers and
their families. When people get too addicted to video
games, they start to neglect other parts of their lives.
The first parts to go are wholesome and supportive
relationships with family, friends, and loved ones.

Relationships need work to maintain. They are like a

plant — if you neglect one long enough, it will wither
up and die. Relationships need to regular nurturing for
them to grow or even maintain. However, when a
person spends most of their time playing video games, there is almost no time left in the
day to talk to friends and family, let alone pursue romantic relationships.

A healthy amount of gaming with friends and family can lead to stronger bonds. However,
excessive gaming often results in isolation. Therefore, it is much more important to keep an eye on
your relationships and see if they are moving down a path that you do not desire.

Social Disconnection

Social disconnection is a real problem in the gaming

community. Out of all the negative effects of video
games, this one is touted a lot. Though we play
multiplayer games, we rarely end up connecting with the
people in our games. Some communities are more
conducive to authentic human interaction than others.
However, those are the exception. Isolation can be
extremely detrimental to your mental health. Evolution did not design human beings to be solitary
creatures. We thrive in groups where can we can support each other.

An Iranian study done on second-grade students in 2009 found that individuals who were
addicted to video games tended to have lower social skills than those who were not. Social
interaction is a skill, and if you spend most of your time alone in your room, playing games, and
not interacting with other people in real life, then that skill will deteriorate. That can lead to social
anxiety, which makes the problem worse.

Toxic Environments

In our society, men are culturally only allowed to

express one negative emotion: anger. If they express
other negative emotions, such as shame or fear, they
are seen as weak or overly sensitive. That makes men
more susceptible to developing alexithymia, especially
if they are addicted to video games.

Statistics on the gender breakdown on the internet say that it consists of about 54% males and
46% females, as of 2019. However, some spaces such as Twitch are male-dominated. That is a
lot of people in the gaming community who might feel that anger is the only acceptable
emotion they can express. Hence, it is no surprise that these communities are so toxic.

Some gaming communities are more toxic than others. A potential reason for that could be that
some games are more competitive than others, and competition sometimes does not bring out the
best in us.

Negative Effect of Video Games on Academic Performance

If you are addicted to gaming, then your academic

and professional success is likely to suffer. People
who play games excessively find it challenging to
pay attention to their jobs or school. It is quite
common to turn to video games when your
performance in these areas suffers. Games turn
into an escape when the responsibilities in your life feel overwhelming.

A cross-sectional and longitudinal study of adolescents in secondary school showed a negative

association of screen time with school achievement one year later, independent of their physical
activity, age, gender, and socio-economic status. It suggests a link between increased gaming and
poor academic performance.

You can have a healthy gaming habit and still maintain excellent performance at school or
work. But due to the way games affect your brain, it is much easier to lose yourself in the
virtual world then to try to tackle hardships in the real world. For example, many children and
teenagers start gaming because they find a community that does not judge them for their socio-
economic background or physical appearance. They get attached to this community and start to
become disinterested in their performance in school, which leads to their grades taking a hit.

Escapism and Being Stuck in Life

We know that video games provide a

safe space for people to escape to
when they do not feel equipped to
deal with the problems in their life.
However, sometimes this can become
problematic. If video games prevent
you from finding ways to deal with
your issues, then that is an issue.

If you spend 10 hours a day playing

video games, then there is a chance that you are not facing the problems in your life head-on.
While it can be quite painful to do so, it is also one of the best ways to move forward. You don’t
have to quit video games. You can maintain a healthy balance by taking one step at a time
to take back control of your life.

Conclusion

As you might have noticed, most of the negative effects of video games arise from excessive use.
Even the health issues mentioned only become a problem when a person spends hours in one
place playing video games.

While it may seem like video games can create a lot of problems, there are plenty of gamers that
lead successful lives and still play video games. Moderate doses of gaming make all the difference
between playing games for enjoyment and gaming controlling your life. If you can address the
underlying issues that make you want to play video games for 10+ hours a day, you can
take back control of your life.
Based on your understanding of the article above and the given
vocabulary list below, answer the following questions:

Vocabulary list:

1. Addiction: A psychological and physical dependence on a substance or behavior,

characterized by compulsive use despite negative consequences.
2. Dopamine: A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in pleasure, reward, and
motivation.
3. Nucleus accumbens: A region of the brain that is involved in reward and reinforcement,
particularly in the release of dopamine.
4. Triumph circuit: A term used to describe the brain's reward pathway, which includes the
nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and other areas.
5. Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
6. Cognition: The mental processes involved in perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-
solving.
7. Evolutionary biology: The study of how organisms evolve and change over time.
8. Amygdala: A region of the brain involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and
anxiety.
9. Negative emotions: Emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness, which are generally
perceived as unpleasant.
10. Alexithymia: A personality trait characterized by difficulty identifying and describing one's
own emotions.
11. Learning circuitry: The neural circuits and processes involved in acquiring and storing new
information.
12. Hippocampus: A region of the brain involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.
13. Repetitive stress injuries: Injuries caused by overuse or repetitive motion, often associated
with certain occupations or activities.
14. Inflammation: A response of the immune system to tissue damage or infection,
characterized by swelling, redness, and pain.
15. de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: A type of repetitive stress injury that affects the tendons in the
wrist and thumb.
16. Trigger finger: A condition in which the finger or thumb becomes stuck in a bent position.
17. Tennis elbow: A type of repetitive stress injury that affects the tendons in the elbow.
 Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What is dopamine addiction and how does it affect the brain?

2. What is the triumph circuit and how does it relate to video games?
3. How can video game addiction affect a person's emotional state?
4. What are some common repetitive stress injuries that gamers can develop?
5. Are video games inherently bad or is addiction the main issue? True or false?
6. How can excessive video game use affect a person's academic or professional
performance?
7. What is alexithymia and how can it be caused by video game addiction?
8. What part of the brain is responsible for negative emotions and learning, and how is it
affected by video games?
9. Can simple activities become unappealing to someone who is addicted to video games?
True or false?
10. Why do video games appeal to people and what rewards do they offer?
11. What is your favorite book and why?
12. What is the most interesting place you have ever traveled to?
13. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
14. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
15. What is a hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?
16. If you could live in any time period in history, when would it be and why?
17. What is your favorite type of food and why?
18. What is something you've always wanted to learn and why?
19. What is a skill or talent you wish you had?
20. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

True/false questions:

1. Video games are not inherently bad, but excessive use and addiction can lead to negative
effects. (True/False)
2. Video games release a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which regulates the feeling of
pleasure from playing them. (True/False)
3. The triumph circuit is a general pattern of psychology and cognition integral to human
beings that makes us feel good when we overcome a challenge. (True/False)
4. Negative emotions can activate the amygdala, which is integral to our learning circuitry.
(True/False)
5. Repetitive Stress Injuries are relatively uncommon among gamers. (True/False)
6. The negative effects of video games are caused only by excessive use and addiction.
(True/False)
7. Dopamine addiction is one of the negative effects of video games. (True/False)
8. Dopamine addiction occurs only in the nucleus accumbens. (True/False)
9. Engaging in simple activities becomes more appealing than video games when you have a
dopamine addiction. (True/False)
10. Video games can negatively affect a person's motivation. (True/False)
11. Video games can help us engage the triumph circuit of our brain. (True/False)
12. Amygdala is the part of the brain that governs negative emotions. (True/False)
13. Constant suppression of negative emotions can lead to a condition called alexithymia.
(True/False)
14. Playing video games for long hours has no negative effects on physical health. (True/False)
15. Repetitive stress injuries are a common health issue caused by video game addiction.
(True/False)

Analytical Questions

1. What impact do video games have on a person's dopamine addiction, and how can
excessive gaming lead to negative effects on motivation and emotional regulation?
2. How do video games affect the triumph circuit, and how do they provide psychological
rewards that can be similar to those experienced in real life?
3. How do video games affect the amygdala and its role in processing negative emotions, and
what are the implications for a person's learning circuitry?
4. What are some of the physical health risks associated with excessive video game use, and
how do repetitive stress injuries occur?
5. How can individuals combat the negative effects of video game addiction, and what
strategies can be implemented to reduce the risk of developing physical, mental, and
emotional issues related to gaming?