Adrenaline floods your veins at scares, rapid connections form during mysteries, and reflexes speed up in combat, all from the comfort of your home. Skill levels increase with experience and repetitive motion. Video games have become an integral part of today’s world, and while some may fear the consequences, the younger generation revels in their development. Contrary to popular belief, exploring these virtual spaces can have a profoundly beneficial impact on growing minds. 

By asking a friend to join or even meeting someone new online, there’s no doubt that socializing becomes much more accessible with a controller than with social media. In fact, according to Psychology Today,  “77% of boys play online video games with friends at least once a month.” That’s 77% of boys who wouldn’t have the same connection and teamwork in their social groups without this online collaboration. Together, kids can develop communication skills, often working to overcome obstacles and challenges along the way.

At times, video games revolve around problem-solving, like in Batman: Arkham Knight. A student describes how she often has to stop bulldozing through missions and take her situation and resources into account to move forward, which forces her to think outside the box. Another junior at Santiago recounts how he often finds small loopholes to survive in Minecraft, and the helpful reassurance of a friend watching his back as they navigate their personally modded world.

As Science Direct puts it, video games allow “the ability to generate multiple ideas from a single starting point.” They offer a boost in creativity that doesn’t appear in other activities, such as watching TV or following a more structured routine. Imagination expands the possibilities, giving kids more options while contributing to their creativity and leaking into day-to-day life. Connections can be made faster, memory improved, ultimately assisting in class. The National Institutes of Health has announced that kids who spent a bit more time gaming often “performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory.” It’s easy to see this from a Santiago student who has said, “I think I’m better at remembering little things quickly from trying to keep all these buttons straight, ‘cause it’s always changing across games. Main reason I keep passing my psych tests, at this point.” She explained that the memorization required in other games, such as The Legend of Zelda and Roblox, has helped with shallow processing in studying. 

Beyond sinking into the couch cushions, there’s a wide array of games that get their users active, as well. Well-loved Just Dance provides the perfect competitive opportunity, engaging, entertaining, and enjoyable for even the people just watching and waiting for their turn. Wii Sports provides the same vibe, with the addition of tennis, golf, and bowling. Not only can playing encourage action, but it also stimulates many parts of our minds, such as the prefrontal cortex, boosting motivation and decision-making. 

Too much of anything is bad, that we know. While benefits are clear and development continues, that doesn’t mean there should be no end. Boundaries and limits are still just as, if not more so, necessary than before. Games should be used for entertainment and learning, for leisure and socializing, but not in excess or without other stimulation. Gamers need to ensure they don’t stick to just one hobby and expand to take care of their bodies and relationships outside the screens. However, within the pixelated universe, infinite possibilities and learning opportunities remain. The imagined worlds offer team-ups, puzzles, battles, adventures, trivia, racing, and even the chance to adopt as many pets as possible. There’s a game out there for everyone, and maybe something new to take out of it into reality.