Can Video Games Help Your Social Skills?

      

       It is a common misconception that video games can make people extremely antisocial and isolated. Although this is possible if you play video games excessively and do nothing other than play video games, it has actually been proven that video games can do the opposite. Studies have shown that video games can actually make us more social and help us improve our social skills. 

Cooperative Play 

        I'm sure we have all had family game nights and have seen first hand that video games can bring families together. My sisters and I got video games almost every single Christmas and we would play them together from Christmas day till like the summer time. I could see us getting closer, and even my younger sister who is extremely antisocial would join us. The reason cooperative play can increase a person's social skills is because when you have to work together you tend to be nicer since you both have to help each other. The same thing applies to video games that you have to virtually team up with someone. Even though you guys aren't sitting right next to each other you are still exercising your communication and social skills. Online video games can connect you to people from all over the world, its almost like having a pen pall. This is a great way to socialize and make connections believe it or not. Another example of how video games can help improve ones social skills is with children. Have you ever watched someone tell a child to share and they refuse? It is really hard to get kids to share. However, when it comes to cooperative games they have no other choice but to share. It will also teach them that sharing is actually not the worst thing in the world and they are likely to continue to share afterwards. 

Finally Thoughts

       I was shocked while learning about this concept, because I never would have thought about video games this way. I never thought about what was actually bringing us together at every family game night. I never thought about how cool it is to be able to play video games with people who live across the country from me. It is a magical thing to be able to improve your social skills and communication skills while still enjoying yourself and playing some of your favorite video games. 

Link: 

https://www.engadget.com/2015/05/20/gaming-cooperatively-makes-you-more-sociable/