Video game playing is perhaps the one thing young people hold most in common with each other. According to a Pew Internet study in 2007, 99% of boys and 94% of girls play video games. In moderation, games can provide a much needed diversion. Most teens play games in groups, so game playing can also be a social experience. However, excessive game playing, like anything done to excess, can cause imbalance in your life. If the time you spend on video games crowds out study time, exercise, sleep, and “real world” interactions with your friends and family members, it’s time to reevaluate how much time you spend playing. In extreme cases, excessive video game playing can result in social isolation and desensitization to others. This is particularly true of violent or sexually explicit games. If you play games, you should choose games that are uplifting and worthy of your time and attention. And you should keep the amount of time you spend on them balanced appropriately with the more important things in your life.
