The Benefits of Games During Adolescence

Without a doubt, the most popular games among teens are those that provide challenges for the mind. Examples include strategic games, board games and word games.

However, you should keep in mind that games can also produce certain negative consequences. For example, games can produce addictions or cause teens to lose interest in other more productive activities.

In fact, excessive game playing can even lead to changes in conduct. Therefore, parents need to control their children’s game playing and their reactions that winning and losing provoke in them.

Games are truly a  privileged tool that allow for the development of a positive attitude that can accompany individuals for the rest of their lives.

Playing games combines pleasure, participation, creativity and experience. As a result, games are a source of learning that, naturally, contribute to the development of these abilities.

In this regards, one study found that games are fundamental to a person’s overall development – especially during adolescence. This is when we develop and strengthen our physical, mental, emotional, rational and socio-affective abilities and capacities.

The benefits of games during adolescence

Now let’s take a look at some of the multiple benefits of games during adolescence:

1. The development of capacities and qualities

The first benefit of games for teens is that they develop important abilities and qualities in youth.

Depending on the type of game, playing can boost the development of different skills, such as the ability to comprehend instructions, memorization, the organization of actions, anticipation and the formulation of strategies.

Playing games also helps children learn to accept their failures. For most teens, losing a game serves the purpose of discovering that failure is part of the human experience. Their world doesn’t have to fall apart just because they didn’t win.

2. The broadening of social interactions

Another advantage when it comes to playing games is the fact that, in most cases, they’re meant to shared. Playing with other members allows teens to observe the behaviors of others as well as socialize, interact and develop strategies.

Without a doubt, games build strong bonds of friendship with very strong values. In a time when children are developing relationships among their peers, sharing quality time can help teens broaden their circle of friends.

3. The learning of values

At the same time, games are a source for learning and developing values like respect, justice, open-mindedness, solidarity and tolerance. Furthermore, it makes way for the development of cooperative personal and social abilities.

In fact, adults need to teach children and adolescents values like cooperation and teamwork. But they also need to instill concepts like the importance of respecting one’s self, others and the environment. Many of these concepts are present in games.

4. The development of imagination and creativity

In fourth place, games allow teens to be active and creative as well as learn from their mistakes. By playing games, youth learn to go beyond their limits – both physically and mentally.

In fact, games during adolescence are an excellent tool for boosting the imagination and creativity of teens. Many games require imaginative and creative abilities in order to overcome obstacles. Therefore, they learn to incorporate this type of creative thought in their lives.

5. The strengthening of self-esteem

Lastly, you should keep in mind that games combine pleasure, participation and experience. They’re a source of learning that contributes to the development of a person’s abilities as well as his or her character.

In the same way, it provides teens with the ability to construct, make decisions and assume responsibilities. All of this reinforces the self-esteem of teenagers in a moment when they must manage their resources and make decisions. Both their victories and their defeats will reinforce their self-respect.

Finally, remember that a child’s interest in a game should never be disproportionate. If your child abandons other types of activities altogether – like studies or spending time with family – this is a problem.

The same is true if you observe your child having aggressive reactions to games. In this case, you should stop the activity immediately. Teens must understand that there’s a time for everything, and that games offer countless benefits, but only if well-managed.