Video games may not have negative impact on mental health according to a study performed by British researchers (University of Oxford) on several thousand players. 

The observation reported that the time dedicated to video games has no impact on their emotional states. 

More than two-thirds of Americans play video games like TonyBet also known as gaming.

The practice of video games is also subject to strict regulations in certain countries such as Japan or China that consider that video games exert are harmful to mental health. 

A study carried out by scientists from the University of Oxford, however, has just proved the opposite. It is even considered a source of well-being to a certain extent.

The analysis was based on observing the habits of players. There are no data indicating adverse impacts, according to the researchers. The latter consider however that the time spent on the game determines its effects. The practice must be done by setting a certain limit if the player wishes to preserve his well-being. This study is of critical importance, according to the authors of the study.

These regulations observed in Japan and China are aimed to protect young people from the danger of video games. The practice of videos games can even lead some parents to seek for a session with a psychologist. However, to date, there is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of these measures. The investigation that the scientist carried out even testifies to the contrary.

The results show that video games have negative effects on the mind only in two cases. The researchers focus on intense practices where the risk of altering one’s well-being exists. This happens when the player adds ten extra hours to their usual playing time. The consequence is the same for people who play out of obligation and not for entertainment.

A possible source of well-being

Apart from these two scenarios, the time spent playing presents no danger, according to the study. Moreover, another observation also made by the authors of the study indicates that it may even promote well-being. The investigation took place by the end of the year 2020 when people had to deal with the pandemic and the measures taken as a result. The practice was common during this period. However, the means deployed for this investigation remained limited.

The context is different with the new study, according to its authors. The behavior of 40,000 players was tracked to reach the advanced conclusion. The researchers preferred to conduct the observations themselves rather than interview the people concerned. To do this, they asked for the help of seven editors, who sent them their data without viewing it. This information reports players’ attitudes for six weeks.

The extent and duration of observation helps support the validity of the findings, say the researchers. In six weeks and with thousands of participants, they had the opportunity to assess different behaviors. No information has reported an association between a deterioration in mental state and playing time. On the contrary, scientists have noted the absence of any influence on mental health.

In summary, the consequences of video games, whether positive or negative, would be perceptible only if a gamer played more than ten hours a day. These results contradict a study carried out in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, by the same group of scientists, which then concluded that playing video games could be good for mental health, unlike this one which reports an absence of link.