History Of Video Game Evolution and The Impact of Gaming on Children

Since the early 70s, video games have been an object of utter fascination and refreshment. In the 1970s, Nolan Bushnell founded Atari and established the foundations of the nationwide gaming industry.

The first-ever arcade game to be launched by Atari in 1972 was Pong, and it piqued public interest. With advances in technology, the gaming industry has experienced a surge. 

From arcades to mobile phones, Pac man, Mario, Resident Evil, Fortnite, etc., games continue to be loved in all shapes and forms. Part of the population believes in the benefits of playing video games. Whereas, all this screen time raises concerns for the health of children. Let’s look at the impact of a child’s most treasured possession and a parent’s nemesis – video games. The mantra most commonly used for the internet, "If used in the right ways, it can be beneficial," applies in the gaming sector too.

When infused with the element of education, they can teach complex ideas in amusing ways. That's why the concept of teaching medical practices and aviation training with simulations has been so successful. With video games, hand and eye coordination improve. You are required to act quickly, or you lose.

In real life, this results in increased performance in everyday tasks like driving, playing sports, and typing. Furthermore, your brain is trained to enhance your decision-making ability when you make split-second decisions while gaming. With limited resources and time, your mind can process information much faster and help you decide what to do.

The adverse effects of gaming on children's health are a topic frequently talked about. If you feel like you can’t stop having enough of gaming, that’s because games are designed to be addictive.

The World Health Organization classifies this alarming addiction as a "gaming disorder." Long gone are the days of kids going out of the house to engage in physical activity with their friends. The digital world has contributed a great to children’s anti-social behavior.

Today, the highest form of social activity includes friends connecting over the internet to engage in lengthy video gaming. This interaction is no replacement for face-to-face exchange. Thereby leaving children confused and lonely, confined to their homes, and without real friends.