Ambivalence of the impact of e-sports on students youth

Abstract

Topicality. In the context of contemporary digitalization, esports is increasingly entering the student environment, functioning both as a form of leisure and as a sociocultural phenomenon. Its rapid spread among young people necessitates a scientific analysis of its dual impact: on the one hand, as a factor in the development of cognitive, social, and communicative skills, and on the other hand, as a source of numerous risks to students’ physical and psycho-emotional health. Purpose of the study – to identify the positive and negative aspects of esports activity among higher education students. Materials and methods of research. Theoretical analysis and generalization of data from specialized scientific literature and Internet resources were applied. Results. Esports has been found to be a multifaceted phenomenon with both constructive and destructive potential. On the one hand, it contributes to the development of cognitive functions, attention, strategic thinking, and creativity, enhances motivation for learning and professional growth, develops communication skills, promotes inclusivity, and creates new opportunities for the socialization of student youth. On the other hand, esports is associated with health risks, including musculoskeletal disorders, vision problems, obesity, sleep disturbances, unbalanced nutrition, and psycho-emotional threats such as increased stress and anxiety, social isolation, and the development of gaming addiction. A comparison of Ukrainian and international research has confirmed the consistency of the established patterns. A distinctive feature of the student population is the lack of structured medical and psychological support, which makes the negative effects more pronounced than in professional esports. In this context, the need for educational and preventive programs aimed at combining virtual activity with physical exercise, developing time management skills, and fostering psychological resilience is emphasized. Conclusions. Esports combines opportunities for the development of student youth with risks to their physical and mental health. Further research should focus on developing models for the safe integration of esports into the educational environment, introducing programs for the prevention of gaming addiction, and identifying optimal forms of harmonizing digital and physical activity among students.