Gaming is slowly becoming one of the most popular leisure activities worldwide. With the rapid advancement of mobile gaming, the accessibility of high-quality games has expanded. Now, over one-third of the entire human population are gamers.
But, even though the main objective of gaming is to have fun, there's another, darker side to it. This article will explore the most common problems gamers face and provide solutions to ensure an enjoyable gaming experience.
Mental Health Problems
Scientists are torn regarding the impact gaming has on mental health. On the one hand, games can help:
■ develop critical thinking;
■ sharpen hand-eye coordination;
■ improve logic.
On the other hand, however, the downsides overshadow the benefits for a lot of people.
It's not that games are designed to cause mental health issues for people. But the manner in which they're distributed is highly addictive. On top of that, interactions with other players can quickly turn toxic.
Playing video games releases a huge amount of dopamine. Over time, gaming can become a coping mechanism, similar to drinking or doing drugs. That, paired with the toxic environment of most online games, is a sure way to develop mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
As much as you may enjoy gaming, treat it as you would a hobby instead of an obsession. Even if you enjoy playing basketball, you probably wouldn't play it for hours until exhaustion at 3 in the morning. Don't make an exception for gaming. Limit your gaming sessions to 1-2 hours per day, and ensure they're not getting in the way of your everyday life.
Instead of gaming for hours on end, do some meditation instead, as well as other mindfulness techniques. Even something as simple as going for a walk is a great mindfulness technique.
Leaked Personal Data
Gamers rarely think twice before giving their data away or setting up gaming accounts. Their goal is to start playing as quickly as possible. This often leads to committing some of the following mistakes:
■ Oversharing personal information;
■ Setting weak passwords;
■ Forgetting crucial safety features like 2FA (two-factor authentication).
Like any other online account, your gaming account is a target for hackers. If you don't protect it with a strong password and authentication methods, you're making it easy for hackers to gain access. And you're not only giving them access to your games library. Gaming accounts can also contain sensitive information like credit card numbers, birthdays, etc.
When creating a gaming account, look for ways you can add some extra protection. Always enable security features like 2FA and set strong passwords.
Another immediate solution would be to use a VPN since it adds more protection to your traffic by encrypting all the data. That way any hacker will not be able to access your personal information and location info. Make sure to choose a quality gaming VPN because using the wrong service can result in speed loss and other issues.
Also, look out for suspicious pop-ups on gaming websites. Malvertising is very common, even on legit websites. A few clicks are all it takes for you to download malware to your computer. Do your gaming only on reputable websites with no pop-ups."
High Costs and a Form of Gambling
Gaming is undoubtedly an expensive hobby. Even if you're gaming on your phone, it needs to be high-end if you want to run the latest games. Most gamers go well beyond that. They invest in advanced computer hardware, which is expensive and is only getting pricier. Then there are things like monitors, chairs, headsets, and whatever else is trendy.
But the expenses don't stop once the hardware is ready. Video games also cost money. Even free games often have in-game purchases that can cost players hundreds of dollars.
In recent years, in-game purchases have started to resemble gambling. Many games sell loot boxes that contain various upgrades like better weapons or clothes. It's very easy for players to get addicted to the thrill of chasing these upgrades. Some people can't control themselves and spend thousands on in-game purchases alone.
Fortunately, it's possible to game on a budget. Instead of spending a fortune on a gaming PC, you can get a gaming console that delivers similar performance at a fraction of the cost. There are also loads of free games available where you don't have to rely on in-game purchases for success.
Final Thoughts
Gaming is an excellent way to have fun and interact with friends. Unfortunately, people often find a way to misuse gaming, leading to many problems.
Due to the nature of video games, players are prone to get addicted. That's why it's best to set a strict gaming schedule and stick to it. Also, try not to get too caught up in the game that you start spending more money on your gaming avatar than you do on yourself.
