YES!! Video games are good. - Positive Articles

The following articles look into the positive aspects of video gaming and the benefits children can gain from them.  All three articles have been summarised so their main points are highlighted.  

Effects of video games: more good than bad for youth development.
Marilyn Price-Mitchell PHD 
http://www.rootsofaction.com/video-games-for-kids-more-good-than-bad-for-development/

Marilyn Price-Mitchell looks into the benefits of video games for children like the qualities they gain such as motivational skills, self-initiative, social behaviour growth, problem solving and persistence.  She aims the article at parents and encourages them to look for signs that video gaming may be affecting your child as she believes serious issues can be stopped if what a child is playing is being monitored as violent games in particular may cause aggressive behaviour or excessive playing can be a sign of isolation.  The writer questions the positive aspects but knows that with the right games and the parents being involved with a child's gaming that video games can be very beneficial to a child's development, also she is a firm believer of not all children being the same so it purely depends on the child and what their limits are.  Price-Mitchell, being a grandmother herself, as she mentions, believes that a child should not be stopped from the joys of playing video games as it is apart of anyones child hood and gives children skills and the tools to do many things that can then be taken and used in a real life situation such as school and other aspects of learning.


Positive effects of video games on children.
Lisa Webber, Demand Media
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/positive-effects-video-games-children-16317.html

Positive effects of video games on children, examines both violent and non-violent games having positive effects on children.  Also how different genres force kids to think differently, Webber gives the example of "action games encourage players to make fast decisions" (Webber). A major point in this article is how video games improve Critical-Thinking skills which teaches children to solve a problem in many different ways.  This teaching method is a new area in schools learning system and is proving to be working very well.  Webber explains how these positive skills can be used in real life, as mentioned in relation to a school environment, and in the future because

video games can enhance social skills, teach patience and persistence. Learning tools like these will stay with someone for a long time, like riding a bike.  A significant area the writer looks into are the strong benefits video games have for children living with Autism.  Social responses can be improved  through visual and verbal ques which is a motivating achievement as human interaction learning can sometimes cause stress, therefore video games are an exciting and fun alternative learning tool for Autistic children.  The third point Webber makes is the great benefits that physical games have, such as Wii.  Games like these will improve hand-eye coordination and motor skill while at the same time increasing fitness levels.  Video games, in a way are ver important in a child's life as they can act as a release for aggression or frustration which ultimately diffuses stress, therefore having a relaxing effect on children.


Video games can teach positive lessons, too. 
Art Markman, PHD.  Ulterior Motives. 
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201002/video-games-can-teach-positive-lessons-too

Markman undergoes a study where participants played one of two games.  The first game was an action game where players flew around in a helicopter rescuing people from buildings and catching criminals.  The second game was neutral, where player had to manoeuvring different shaped blocks into a well and make them fit into each other.  After the players had finished their games they answered a series of questions that tested what they were thinking whilst playing.  The results showed that the people who played the action game had helpful thoughts while playing as they were rescuing people in danger, compared to the others players where their thoughts centred around other actions, like what they were going to have for lunch.  Initially people who played the action game were far more engaged and interested that those who didn't play.  The study concluded that the people who played the helicopter game were more engrossed and showed positive signs therefore, regarding a child's perspective, video games are more engaging and exciting so encouraging positive behaviour compared to neutral gaming where no real objective is accomplished.