While some worry about gaming's negative effects, such as addiction or time wastage, the speaker emphasizes the importance of balance. He recalls how, during his teenage years, he turned to games like "World of Warcraft" to cope with depression, which led to an unhealthy gaming obsession. Therapy and new hobbies helped him regain control and find balance. Now, as a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, he studies how gaming affects mental health. The speaker argues that it’s not the amount of time spent gaming that matters, but rather the quality of the experience, such as learning new skills and fostering positive relationships.
Vocabulary:
• Vivid (adjective): Very clear and detailed in your mind.
• Compulsion (noun): A strong desire to do something that is difficult to control.
• Enriched (verb): Made better or more valuable.
• Balance (noun): A state where different things happen in a way that is fair or equal.
• Impact (noun): The effect something has on someone or something.
• Stimulate (verb): To make someone more active or interested.
• Accomplishment (noun): Something that is done successfully.
• Assertive (adjective): Confidently saying what you think or want.
• Disruptive (adjective): Causing trouble and stopping something from continuing as usual.
• Manipulative (adjective): Controlling or influencing someone in a dishonest way.
• Squeeze (verb): To press something firmly, especially from opposite sides, to reduce its size or force something out.
Source: BBC Ideas.