Are mobile games a complete waste of time? Or are they — at the root — unique learning opportunities? The majority of people believe that mobile games are only there for distraction. However, recent studies show that there might be more to mobile games than meets the eye.
Benefits of Playing Mobile Games
Mobile games keep the brain active and even improve memory. They can also enhance problem-solving skills and creativity if played for even just a couple of minutes per day.
Here are a couple of other benefits playing mobile games can offer:
Better Social Skills
Playing mobile games can help people maintain friendships and relationships. Since mobile games are played purely online, people can stay connected 24/7. They can share experiences and challenges virtually. Additionally, they can establish online communities where they can get to know each other more deeply.
Communication plays a huge role in online game industry. Players need to communicate objectives and missions to their teammates. Otherwise, they lose the game as well as other resources tied to it.
The great thing about mobile games is that you don’t just talk to people you’re already friends with. You get teamed up with strangers with varying personalities and attitudes. This forces you to adjust your approach in terms of building connections with people.
Boosts Concentration
Mobile games assign players various missions — some of which need to be solved in a short period of time. This challenges the brain to pay closer attention to the tasks at hand. Not just that, it also helps enhance memory by forcing the player to keep track of various stats, routes, items, and even characters.
One study shows that people with earlier experiences of playing video games demonstrated improvements in cognitive processing. These people were able to focus more on existing tasks and, as a result, could finish assignments earlier or on time.
Relieves Stress
Mobile games are entertaining and fun. They supply the brain with dopamine and serotonin, which help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. Taking a few moments to play Candy Crush or Minecraft on your phone can take your mind off overwhelming things like work or relationship problems.
It can give your mind space to recharge and refocus. It may even allow you time to think about effective solutions to certain issues.
Scheduling breaks throughout the day can benefit the mind in a variety of ways. It can enhance creativity and improve problem-solving skills. It can also boost productivity and make work much more fun and enjoyable.
Encourages Team-building
Loneliness can take a toll on a lot of people. Community and connection are important to living a healthy and happy life. While mobile gaming isn’t a complete replacement for face-to-face interaction, it can serve as a way for people to find camaraderie and friendships.
Mobile games require everyone to work together to achieve a common goal. As a result, gamers develop a sort of kinship with each other. This helps ease feelings of sadness and isolation.
Mobile Game Addiction
While mobile gaming can be incredibly beneficial to the mind, it can also be harmful if not used in moderation.
People use mobile games as a way to cope with their emotional distress. They see it as a doorway to escape the real world and its problems. This element of escapism is what makes mobile games so enticing; however, there are negative repercussions waiting on the other end.
Studies show that mobile game addiction can lead to psychological issues, including loneliness, depression, insomnia, violence, and impulsiveness. It’s even been shown to negatively impact a child’s emotional development, causing delays and deficiencies in the child’s growth.
Striking a Balance
It’s great to allow yourself to enjoy small things like mobile games. However, it’s important that you control your consumption and keep your gaming habit to a minimum. This prevents you from developing harmful psychological issues and keeps you playing your favorite games longer.
To avoid falling into a gaming addiction, the following tips should help:
- Only allow yourself to play for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day.
- Avoid gaming when it’s near your bedtime.
- Keep your phone out of your room so you don’t feel tempted to play at night.
- Schedule other activities in your day e.g., going to the gym, reading a book, or taking a walk. That way you don’t sacrifice your health over a few more minutes of Genshin Impact.
- Relax playing Solitaire (http://www.solitaire-masters.com)
Final Thoughts
Mobile games can provide players with incredible learning opportunities. However, it’s no doubt that they can be uberly addictive too. The secret is to keep your consumption of this content at a minimum. Limit your screen time to a couple of minutes every day. Surround yourself with other activities such as exercise or arts and crafts. That way, you still have other things to turn to when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
