10 Physical and Psychological Effects of Playing Computer Games

Gaming can impact both body and mind, so we need to approach it carefully.

I also published this story on Medium.

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Based on my experience and interactions with gaming friends, I’d like to highlight some physical and psychological effects that have been associated with playing computer games.

I touch on both positive and negative effects to give you a complete picture of the pros and cons of playing computer games. The critical point is moderation. Obsessive gaming might lead to physical and mental health disorders.

Here are the ten points for your consideration.

1 — Improved hand-eye coordination

Some computer games require precise hand-eye coordination. Therefore, they can improve this skill over time when played consistently.

For example, a player of a first-person shooter game may see an improvement in their hand-eye coordination as they practice aiming and shooting at targets.

Personally, I’ve noticed that sometimes compared to my friends who don't play video games, I tend to have better hand-eye coordination even in real-life activities such as sports.

2 — Decreased physical activity