While many students spend time playing video games, not many think that video games affect them negatively.

According to University of Wisconsin psychologist C. Shawn Green, who has an article on raisesmartkid.com, playing video games changes the brain’s physical structure the same way that learning to read does. His research shows that video games have many positive as well as negative effects on humans. The positive effects of video games on a person are instruction following, problem solving, hand-eye coordination, quick decision making, and many more. However, there are also negative effects which consist of social isolation, learning wrong values, and increased health problems such as obesity and video induced seizures.

In a recent poll, 142 Warsaw High students were asked what they think the effect of video games is on the minds and health of students, 48 percent of the students answered that they thought video games have no effect on them.

“I play video games like five or six hours a day and they do not seem to affect my schoolwork.” said sophomore Skylar Breshears.

“I believe that a few minutes a day on any video game can make a positive impact on your life. But, hours will create a negative impact on your life, consuming family, friends, and work time. But, a few minutes a day builds your mind and problem solving skills,” said sophomore Noah Long.

“I believe that video games are good in moderation,” said math teacher Brian Hrabe.

Students and teachers alike spend their own amount of time playing video games.

“I spend around two hours a day on video games,” said sophomore Jonathan Kirmse. “I don’t think they affect me negatively.”

“I play video games about three hours a day,” said science teacher Dustin Daniels.

“I only play a couple of times a day and only spend a couple minutes each of those times,” said Hrabe

Out of the 142 students polled 33, percent of them play more than two hours a day where only 21 percent do not play at all.

Video Games are played on two different platforms, mobile and console gaming. Mobile gaming is when games are played on a mobile device such as a phone or a tablet. Console gaming on the other hand is played on a television with a gaming system, such as an X Box or a Play Station. Mobile games run on different, less detailed engines therefore are not as elaborate and detailed as console games. However, mobile games are convenient because they can be played anytime anywhere.

Of the 142 students polled, the favorite between mobile and console is a very close call with console gaming being the favorite of 58 percent and mobile gaming being the favorite of 42 percent.

  While a large chunk of the student body is playing video games, certain precautions should be necessary. According to Green’s research, video games are good for the mind, improving multiple functions of the brain. But, they should be monitored, parents should check the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings on video games their children play to pick the games they feel are suitable. Also, gaming time should be monitored, although the appropriate amount of time spent on video games varies per person, too much time on video games can result in health problems, social isolation, and a decrease in school performance.