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Video games help build a relationship with a "troubled" teenager
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Over the past decades, video games have become very popular among young people. Now their diversity is simply amazing. In addition, various devices are appearing that allow you to play not only at home, sitting at the computer, but also anywhere: on a trip, in a cafe, in a park, etc.
With the help of a game, a person changes his real world (in some cases, quite boring, monotonous in his opinion) to an imaginary, virtual one, in which he becomes the main participant in interesting, incredible events. Quite often, a video game serves as a good way to relax after a hard day at work, relieve stress. With a good game, a person begins to secrete hormones of happiness, adrenaline, which stimulates the body.
However, such a pastime is considered harmful to a person, the world of the game takes a person further and further away from reality, failures in the game lead to severe mental disorders, a person becomes prone to aggression, violence, etc. At least, this was previously believed until the results of the latest research appeared.
Scientists have found that games lift your mood, reduce the negative effects of stress on the body, and increase your self-esteem. It is especially useful to spend entire evenings with your family playing video games. Experts believe that parents and children should play together, as this helps to increase the hormones needed for happiness and calm in the brain, as well as understanding and bringing family members closer together.
To confirm their assumptions, the research group headed by D. Johnson analyzed over two hundred reports and scientific publications. Scientists were interested in how a game can affect a person's social well-being. As it turned out, the type of game (strategy, adventure, role-playing, arcade, logic, etc.) does not matter at all, but spending time together playing a game brings people closer together, improves communication skills, increases brain activity, and promotes a person's social well-being.
Experts have come to the following conclusions: in order to improve relations with a problem teenager, the best way is to start playing video games with him, not every day, but at least occasionally, a couple of times a week. Such joint recreation will improve mutual understanding between generations, and bring people closer. However, special attention should be paid to the time spent playing video games. The number of hours spent in front of the monitor can negatively affect the quality of the child's education. Too long a game can provoke instability in behavior, irritability, and fits of aggression. If the child spends all possible time playing, his world will narrow to this one virtual world, all that will interest him is how to complete, hack the game, destroy monsters, etc. The child can completely break away from the social environment, completely immersing himself in his game world. But periodically playing a game together will help not only to relax both parents and the child after a busy day at work, but will contribute to a closer connection between parents and the child. Moreover, infrequent sessions of video games help improve a person’s emotional state.