Finding the Balance: The Risks and Benefits of Video Gaming for Children

by Annabelle Stephenson
in *CH, *RU, News, xDA, xHU, xLT, xLV, xSK, xSV
on 20 January 2024

Nowe badania wykazują, że gracze wideo, w tym dzieci i nastolatkowie, są narażeni na nieodwracalne uszkodzenia słuchu i szumy uszne.

New research suggests that video gamers, including children and adolescents, are at risk of irreversible hearing damage and tinnitus. Many parents have concerns about whether their children should play video games. In the UK, the majority of children (93 percent) play computer games, which raises several concerns, such as the possibility of talking to strangers or becoming targets of harassment.

Now, a new threat has been added to this list – numerous studies have shown that video gamers, including children and adolescents, are at risk of irreversible hearing damage and tinnitus.

A review of 14 global studies involving over 50,000 participants revealed that the sound levels in video games often approach or exceed safe limits. A study published in the journal BMJ Public Health states that “players who listen to high-intensity sounds for extended periods of time are at risk of permanent hearing damage and/or tinnitus.”

Do these new findings mean that children and young people should be discouraged from playing video games? According to Dr. Sangeeta Bhullar, founder of the organization WISE KIDS, which promotes children’s mental health, not necessarily.

“Online games can have both health risks and benefits for children and young people,” she emphasizes. “Risks may include sleep disturbances and increased aggression, and excessive gaming may also be associated with concentration problems and depression. On the other hand, we also know that playing games can bring benefits such as improving mood, relaxation, reducing anxiety, and strengthening social and cognitive skills.

The key is to maintain balance and moderation and provide these children and young people with an active lifestyle, good friendships, and social support. It is especially important for parents to be involved in the case of younger children, and playing together can be a really important way to build bonds.”

Although there are risks and benefits associated with playing video games, it is important for parents to at least be aware of the health risks. These include:

1. Hearing problems – excessive gaming carries the risk of hearing damage. It is important to monitor game usage, particularly in younger children, and encourage them to use headphones at an appropriate volume level to protect their hearing over time.
2. Chronic musculoskeletal injuries – overuse of hands and arms during gaming often leads to repetitive strain injuries. These can include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, gamer’s back, or trigger finger.
3. Obesity – playing computer games increases food consumption in adolescents, often leading to obesity due to lack of physical activity.
4. Sleep disorders – gaming can lead to sleep disorders, insomnia, and circadian rhythm problems.
5. Addiction – an increasing number of people over the age of 13 are being treated for gaming-related disorders. Gaming addiction can have a significant impact on the daily lives of children and their families.
6. Mental health – although many school-aged individuals spend a lot of time playing computer games, it usually does not have a negative impact on their well-being.

However, it is important to remember that these are just research findings, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a balance between gaming and other activities should be found.

FAQ Section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:

Question: Should children play video games?
Answer: Many parents have concerns about whether their children should play video games. Research has shown that video gamers, including children and adolescents, are at risk of irreversible hearing damage and tinnitus. However, this is just one of the risks, and playing games can also have benefits.

Question: Should children be discouraged from playing video games?
Answer: Dr. Sangeeta Bhullar, founder of WISE KIDS, argues that online games can have both health risks and benefits for children and young people. It is important to maintain balance and moderation and provide an active lifestyle, good friendships, and social support.

Question: What are the risks associated with video gaming?
Answer: There are several risks associated with video gaming, such as hearing damage, chronic musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), obesity, sleep disorders, addiction, and impact on mental health.

Question: How can the risks associated with video gaming be reduced?
Answer: To reduce the risks associated with video gaming, it is important to monitor game usage, especially in younger children, and encourage the use of headphones at an appropriate volume level to protect hearing. It is also important to maintain a balance between gaming and other physical activities and provide social support and friendship building.

Question: Does video gaming affect mental health?
Answer: Playing computer games by school-aged individuals usually does not have a negative impact on their well-being. However, excessive gaming can be associated with concentration problems, depression, and addiction.

Terms and Jargon Used in the Article:

– BMJ Public Health: a scientific journal where a study on the impact of video games on hearing was published.
– Hearing damage: permanent or temporary damage to hearing ability due to exposure to noise or other factors.
– Tinnitus: the perception of sounds that have no external source, such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears.
– Carpal tunnel syndrome: a condition that leads to the compression of the median nerve in the wrist, causing pain, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
– Gamer’s back: back pain caused by a sedentary lifestyle and poor habits related to computer use.
– Trigger finger: a chronic inflammation of the tendons in the elbow causing pain and stiffness in the fingers.
– Gaming addiction: loss of control over video gaming, leading to negative effects on health and daily life.
– Mental health: the overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual.