Video Games: Isolating or Unwinding?

Many young people like playing video games. While playing games, some pretend to fight aliens or evil creatures, others pretend to be pro athletes and racing drivers. For years, young people played outdoors with their friends. They used their imagination. Their streets became faraway planets, their gardens became big-league stadiums.

Today, though, for many young people, games only take place on their phone and laptop screens.

Video game fans say that their hobby is just good fun. They believe people need activities for sure but they also need to rest. There is nothing wrong with playing some video games while relaxing. People should play video games to help them unwind. Not all video games are bad for people's minds. Playing a video game can be like solving a puzzle. Many video games can help make minds stronger. They require the player to focus on the game. And they are good for socializing as you can play games with friends.

Others disagree. They say that video games can be bad for people's health. People who play video games spend too much time staring at a television or computer screen. They don't spend enough time being active. Playing video games is also bad for the mind. Time spent playing video games would be better spent reading. Reading helps make people smarter and helps focus the mind.

Making friends also makes people happier and healthier. If young people play video games by themselves, they lose the chance to be with friends. Perhaps real life is more fun than playing video games.