Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Main ideas

Band 8.0 – 8.5

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)

• Computer games are popular, especially among children.
• The writer acknowledges that games can have some benefits.
• The writer’s opinion: video games are more harmful than beneficial.

Paragraph 2 (Positive effects)

• Video games are entertaining and engaging.
• They help develop creativity, imagination, and concentration.
• They improve logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Simulation games can enhance motor skills and prepare users for real-life tasks.

Paragraph 3 (Negative effects)

• Video games are highly addictive.
• Children spend too much time gaming.
• Gaming causes lack of sleep and poor academic performance.
• Gaming contributes to obesity and lack of physical activity.

Paragraph 4 (Conclusion)

• The disadvantages of video games outweigh the advantages.
• Video games pose significant dangers despite some benefits.

• Introduction: Many people, and children in particular, enjoy playing computer games. While I accept that these games can sometimes have a positive effect on the user, I believe that they are more likely to have a harmful impact.

• Benefits: On the one hand, video games can be both entertaining and educational. Users, or gamers, are transported into virtual worlds which are often more exciting and engaging than real-life pastimes. From an educational perspective, these games encourage imagination and creativity, as well as concentration, logical thinking and problem solving, all of which are useful skills outside the gaming context. Furthermore, it has been shown that computer simulation games can improve users’ motor skills and help to prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a plane.

• Drawbacks: However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. Gaming can be highly addictive because users are constantly given scores, new targets and frequent rewards to keep them playing. Many children now spend hours each day trying to progress through the levels of a game or to get a higher score than their friends. This type of addiction can have effects ranging from lack of sleep to problems at school, when homework is sacrificed for a few more hours on the computer or console. The rise in obesity in recent years has also been linked in part to the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that often accompany gaming addiction.

• Conclusion: In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of video games are more significant than the possible benefits.