Benefits From Online Gaming

As the Internet continues to advance and expand we find ourselves becoming more immersed with social networks and online games.  Online gaming has become most popular with the younger generation.  Time spent with online gaming has lead to a large amount of criticism, branding this form of entertainment as an addiction.  At times this can be true and some should be monitored; however, by taking a closer look at online gaming many positives can be seen.  With most people being constantly connected to the Internet it only takes initiative and optimism to see the opportunity to benefit from it.

Writer Scott Steinberg presents the benefit of such online games in an article on ABCNews.com:

A recent study from the Education Development Center and the U.S. Congress-supported Ready To Learn (RTL) Initiative found that a curriculum that involved digital media such as video games could improve early literacy skills when coupled with strong parental and teacher involvement. 

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Even adults can find positive aspects to online virtual worlds.  Communities like Second Life and Entropia give individuals opportunities to explore new ways of educating and learning.  Second Life was more popular several years back because it presented a way for the users to generate the world around them and connect with people from all around the world.  Entropia Universe has been used to educate people about careers in the fields of space science and teach their importance to school children.  Each of these communities also has and still generates interest among real world businesses.  By utilizing these worlds, companies are able to connect with a wide variety of people with varying interests, creating the perfect atmosphere for promoting and selling products.  

He explains that all age groups can learn from similar technology that is presented with online gaming.  Younger kids are using online gaming as means of entertainment, but in doing so they are learning to properly interact with others.  They also learn about strategy and teamwork, and in some more advanced massive multiplayer online games, MMOs, individuals can learn basic fundamentals of managing finances and corporate formation.  

In a similar article from Time by Alice Park, she explains that virtual games are now being presented to the elderly in nursing homes to help keep their memory fresh and mind sharp.  These games not only help elderly individuals physically but they can also bridge the generational gap between younger people.  This video shows some technology that is being used for these purposes:

While research on effects and benefits to online games and virtual communities is still somewhat new, the popularity of this media is constantly growing.  Some become outdated and others are just beginning but the technology and outlets are still there, we just need to mold them to utilize their full potential.

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