If you like to play video games, you’re probably no stranger to your dad complaining about how they’re a waste of time. Today, video games are so commonplace that they appear in many different forms, from mobile apps to VR headsets to handheld consoles. Whether you are searching for the top games of the year or nostalgic classics from the ‘80s, the truth is that video games have not only made a huge impact on society in entertainment value but also in the skills they are able to impart. Here are some of the useful skills video games can help you to develop.
Problem Solving
Believe it or not, playing Zelda games can actually accomplish more than just exploring all of Hyrule. Puzzle games like Ubisoft games and basically all Zelda games train the brain to find creative solutions to complex problems. Research suggests that popular mainstream games such as Call of Duty, League of Legends, and StarCraft can help improve the gamers’ problem-solving skills, attention span, and hand-eye coordination.
Job Preparation
Developing hand-eye coordination skills, better attention span, and problem-solving skills can be advantageous in any workplace. Different jobs may require skills that games can teach such as spatial orientation, information gathering, and better reaction time to emergency situations. According to L3HARRIS, airlines and overland freight companies routinely use simulators to train their workforce. Commercial airline pilots are required to practice emergency procedures in flight simulators and are required to pass a simulator assessment every six months. In addition, technology such as augmented reality made popular by Pokémon Go has already made its way into the workplace of engineering, manufacturing, and production jobs.
Stay Fit
Many professionally competitive gamers have been warned that staying fit is essential to maintain their game skills and reaction speed. Just as there are games to cover many subjects, there are games that can help improve fitness. According to Axtion Tech, activity-based games such as Just Dance and Dance Dance Revolution can provide a great workout. In addition, virtual reality activity games such as boxing, fencing, and speed skating can also provide intensive exercise.
Gaming as a teen is not a useless hobby. More and more people are recognizing the positive attributes that can be developed in a healthy gamer. You’ve just got to make sure to balance gaming with other things in your life. Gone are the days when games and gamers belong at the nerdy table. Contrary to what your dad may think, they can actually be quite useful.
Travis Bryant is an American actor who you might recognize from the CW’s supernatural series Legacies or Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Kid Danger, BET’s American Soul, YouTube RED’s digital series Weird City, as well as Sofia the First as fan-favorite character Tyler in Season 4.
His latest is the faith-based film ‘Breakthrough’ starring Marcel Ruiz, Topher Grace, and Chrissy Metz which just became available on BluRay and DVD on July 16th and can also be found on most digital platforms for download and purchase. He also resumes shooting on Legacies in Atlanta soon.
Here’s 5 fast facts about Travis!
His show was nominated for a Teen Choice Award.
Honestly being a part of two projects that I’ve been passionate about for the past two years and seeing them both get the recognition they deserve, as well as to be so well received by the fans to be nominated for #TeenChoiceAwards is pretty rewarding in itself.
There is one kindergarten lesson which still holds true for him today.
The golden rule: treat others the way you wish to be treated. I’m a huge believer in energy and I believe that the energy we put out in the world has a unique way of finding its way back to us in a full circle kind of way. So simply putting kindness and positivity in the world is the most efficient way to receive it back and I’d try to exemplify that in my actions and in everything that I do.
He’s the guy you always complain about regarding texting.
For as often as I am on my phone, I suck at texting a response to people. My friends, my costars, and even my family is always getting onto me about how I need to be better at replying to people’s messages.
Be flexible and do what you say if you want to be his pal.
Hypocrisy and people who are unwilling to change are both kinda tied up there in my top 2 pet peeves but they also go hand in hand with each other.
15–year-old up-and-coming songstress QUEEVA has released her first album How Do You Know on July 12. She co-wrote every track on the album with mentor and hit songwriter Jamie O’Neal, who is also credited as producer of the album.
Born in Chicago, IL, QUEEVA was raised with five siblings in a creative Irish clan speaking both Gaelic and English and dividing her time between the US and Ireland. In fact, her name, sometimes spelled Caoimhe, means, “gentle,” “beautiful” or “precious” in that language. Early on, QUEEVA gravitated to Country music’s greatest storyteller-artists who were skilled in illumining their everyday experiences in a song.
In addition to music, she’s also appeared on Nickelodeon’s Fresh Faces, Chicago Fire, a Build-a-Bear commercial, and others.
Here’s 5 fast facts about Queeva.
Although she is very young, one of her songs reflects deep personal loss.
My song “You’re Still Here” had a big impact on me because I wrote that song when I was 9 years old and I wrote it about my aunt that had passed away who was really special to me. It was just really hard because it would bring that memory back that she wasn’t there. Then when I rerecorded it, that is when my grandma passed away so it was really hard for me but I’m really glad with how the song turned out. It has a really special place in my heart because I think of them whenever I play it.
The most surprising thing she experienced while recording the album is ________
I think being surprised on how cool and different each song on the album turned out and when you get in the studio and you bring a song that you’ve written and seeing how it comes to life is so cool.
One of her acting gigs was surreal.
I guess you could say one of the weirdest things was when I was on Chicago Fire (well, it’s not weird but it was weird to me because I wasn’t used to it), but I had my own trailer and it had a star on it with my name and it had a bed, a fire place — it was just crazy! It was so cool!
She’s a former Irish dancer.
I was actually an Irish dancer for about four years. It was a lot of fun but I couldn’t really juggle everything I was doing at the same time so unfortunately I had to give it up. But yeah! Most people don’t know that about me!
There’s one treat she loves above all others.
I love ice cream. Like all day every day I could eat it. It’s just so good! I really love ice cream. Ha!
16-year-old singer-songwriter LiLi Joy, a member of Team Blake on NBC’s The Voice this past season is releasing EP of original music titled Colours You Can’t See on Wednesday, August 14th featuring her previously released songs “Float” and “Sink” along with new track “Glow.”
“Sink,” LiLi Joy’s debut single that dropped in June, is an alluring song about feeling trapped in your own head, that pairs a stark and stripped vocal performance with a thudding bass line and loose distorted guitar riff. A love song, “Float” is about admiration and love for someone in the purest form, ebbing and flowing in warm waves from a jazzy swing into a hypnotic hook upheld by her shimmering, soulful delivery. Lastly, piano, violin and bass shine through on “Glow,” a song about vulnerability and being scared of showing the ones you love how you truly feel.
Here’s 5 fast facts about LiLi!
Being on The Voice made her work harder than she ever had.
I think the biggest benefit I received from being on The Voice was the HUGE impact practicing every single day can have on your skill levels! I saw so much improvement while I was there; it was a like music bootcamp.
If she had a magic fairy wand that could pass just ONE spell, it would be __________.
Hmmm, I think I would give people the gift of happiness, even if it was only for a day. I hate seeing the people I love in a bad mental state. If they’re having a bad day, then I can’t seem to have a good one.
3. One food she refuses to eat is___________.
PICKLES!!! So gross.
Fall is her fav season.
I love fall! Hopes are high, the school year is new, the candles smell great, and Halloween is around the corner.
She is excited about her EP.
My debut EP, Colours You Can’t See is set to release on August 14! This project is about painting with the emotions we deal with every day, but the world can’t see. Even pain can be used for something beautiful.
Right now I’m just writing music and doing some work on my computer! <3
The mere idea of a makeover is exciting. This is one reason the makeup industry thrives, you can literally transform yourself into a new person! Now, how about you dab some “makeup” over your home?
Don’t be discouraged by the possibility of coughing up a large sum of money; you can actually do a lot without spending much cash since you can use some of the stuff you already have in your home.
1.With Plants, You Never Go Wrong
Potted plants add a certain vibe to your home. If you aren’t using them already, now is a perfect time to add them to brighten up your stairway, windowsill or fireplace. Including potted plants in your home décor can give a healthy look to your house (because plants give off oxygen). And if you’re worried about where to get pots, even large mugs and old coffee tins can be used to hold those plants and flowers.
2.Go Bold on Your Door Colors
Make an amazing statement of boldness as soon as anyone steps into your house with brightly colored doors.
Repaint your doors to be as fun as possible. For your room, you can get very creative with even bolder colors, animals, flowers, or chalk paint.
3.Wall Art Has Never Been Cooler
Get creative with your walls! All you need to do is place pieces of artwork or plates of different sizes or cool posters from a thrift store.
And don’t worry about being totally symmetrical: check out this wall with different sized pieces arranged on different levels.
4.Move
Stuff Around
If you have done this before, you’ll have noticed the automatic facelift it gives to your rooms. You can give your home a whole new look by the simple act of rearranging a room’s content.
For instance, you could rearrange
books in your bookshelf according to color or size; rearrange your bedroom
furniture along opposite walls on in an L-shape, or place youroutdoor dining sets in the center of your patio.
5.Make
Your Closet Fascinating
When you have a warm and inviting wardrobe closet, it’s a lot easier for you to enjoy picking out clothes each morning. Repainting the closet to a warm color, or placing some cool vignettes on it to remind yourself of how awesome you are each day, might be helpful.
6.Use
Leftover Fabric Creatively
If you’ve got bundles of leftover fabric lying around, you can turn them around to make creative cushion covers from them if you have basic sewing skills.
7.Use
Fruits as Dining Table Centerpieces
When you line up those fresh, colorful fruits in big glass bowls, they look super amazing as dining table centerpieces. Plus you get to eat them.
8.Shoe
Boxes Can Be Used to Store Stuff
Especially for things like concert or school memorabilia, you can wrap up old shoe boxes in wrapping paper and voila! You have before you the perfect storage solution for your knickknacks!
9.Use
Old Household Items in New Ways
Put battery-powered lights in old jars for a cool rustic look. Or you could fill the jars with beautifully bright beads, pebbles or even sweets! And those sweet old baskets you’re so fond of? Use them as magazine holders.
Wrapping
Up
What do you say to the use of these unique ideas to transform your home into a hub of newness and utter beauty?
Battle Royale games are all the craze across the globe, ranging from Fortnite Battle Royale and PlayerUnknown’s Battleground. When it comes to PUBG, you do not want to be left out in showcasing your prowess, when every other gamer from the 30 million daily active users across the world is upping their game. The high number of active players makes winning a matter precise strategies and skills, without which you will always be lagging in the game.
Lucky for you, some experts have shared some of the tricks and hacks that help them get by, and you will need them in your journey to becoming a pro PUBG player. Here are five tactics to get you started on your road to becoming an epic PUBG player:
Adjust the graphics
Most gamers get quickly invested in getting the very best accessories to better their gaming experience, such as the opseat master series. But one other thing which can greatly boost your experience is better graphics, and one hack we heard which doesn’t involve buying anything is to increase the contrast so your enemies stand out much more. Then set it back to normal so you don’t get a headache when viewing normal content.
Study the map
This is a
crucial step if you are only beginning. Studying the map allows you to figure
out your way swiftly around the battleground while playing. Master all the
crucial hotspots in a particular map, ranging from Erangel and Miramir to
Sanhok and Vikendi.
Capitalize on the training ground
Figure 1 try out the guns
It may be a no
brainer to you, but it is not to everyone. PUBG Mobile has a training mode
feature that is very often overlooked by gamers. The feature allows you to try
out all the guns, attachments, and other weapons. In the end, trying out the
different weapons enable you to know what suits you best for better gameplay.
However, if you
really want to do it like the experts, don’t just test the weapons at
face-value. Consider the recoil patterns. For example, the AKM gun has a high
damage rate but high recoil. By mastering the recoil patterns and the names of
the guns, you already have a competitive advantage even before the game starts.
Land at hotspots that are away from the flight path
Now that you
know your way around the maps, the next step is to identify a spot that has the
prime resources but is slightly far from the flight path. The advantage with
this trick is that you may end up having most of the loot for yourself. Even in
the event of people showing up, you will have more advantage in fighting them
off, assuming you chose the best weapons.
Don’t kill knocked out players immediately
When the game is going your way, do not let the excitement of the game get you making the wrong calls. Once you knock down a player, be hesitant about completely getting rid of them immediately. While that should be the end game, use the knocked out players as bait. A lot of the times, a knocked out gamer will ask for help from a teammate. When they come out, this is your opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. However, be keen lest they get sneaky on you and hide far away from your field-of-view.
Seek cover in terrain
As you may have
noticed, the buildings are such an ideal spot to seek cover. With the perfect
strategy, you can stay alive if you are in a building, more especially if you
have covered the only entrance to the building. However, some risks come with
that. All it takes is for someone to know you are there, and a well-placed
grenade can end your gameplay instantly. For that reason, consider the terrain
an ideal place for cover. A suitable terrain will give you a spot with
excellent sightlines to keep a view of your enemies. Other than that, you have
more escape options when you are on terrain than inside a building. Find a
ridge, dip, or hill to hold you up for a while, before your next move.
While at it,
consider hiding in bushes. It may look like a lame move, but hiding in bushes
works surprisingly very well. However, you may want to take off any bright
colored clothes you have before you hit the bushes.
Grab the highest level equipment
If you really want to win the PUBG game, then you must grab the highest level of equipment when you are looting untouched equipment. While that is a strategy, there is more you can do to have the best armor for the game. When you defeat a level three player, it can be challenging to know what to pick up and what to leave. A general rule applied by most PUBG experts is, ‘always pick the level three helmet.’ Even though it might be damaged, this helmet will always save you from a headshot with the M24 and is the only one that will do so.
Pick your battles wisely
You are aiming for many kills in one round, but the chances of that happening and you being alive in the end are usually very slim. The whole idea of the game is to be the last man standing. This means that if other players can help you get rid of some people, then you should let them. The best strategy is not to hide out and avoid picking fights altogether, but rather to pick battles you know you can win. Know which enemies to attack in clear sight, and which ones you should re-strategize before you attack.
The internet is an essential part of our lives. It’s our go-to resource for everything from shopping to learning to entertainment. Being online has become an important aspect of the daily routine. This is true for both adults and children, and it’s especially true for teenagers. But with all the good must come bad, making proper safety a must for any online interactions. If you’re a teenager, taking a little time to learn about these best online practices for teen safety can help you know what to do to protect yourself when you go online.
Password Management
A password is the easiest way to keep a computer or account secure. It’s also the easiest way to screw things up. A weak password is only slightly better than no password, so take the time to come up with something a bit more complex than normal to protect your accounts and information. Strong passwords use capital and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols and anything else you could feasibly use to make them more random. You should also make it a point to use a new password for each account no matter how much of a pain it is, and don’t offer to save passwords on a shared computer.
Limit Where Your Information Is
No matter how cautious you might be, sometimes things go wrong. While things can go wrong in many ways, one of them is a data breach where a large company’s internal servers are hacked, and the information stored there is released to the public. The released data often includes the personal information of whoever uses their services. There are very few ways to protect your identity from data breaches as you have no control over their security, as seen quite clearly in the recent Equifax breach. About the only thing you can do to stop this from happening is to limit where your information is stored to begin with. Do you best to be careful about choosing which companies get what kind of information from you. A simple way to do this is to think over whether or not you’d like to connect accounts or fill out personal information, like addresses and phone numbers, when creating accounts on different websites.
Curate Your Web Presence
Curating your web presence is one way to help protect your identity while you’re online. The saying goes that nothing is ever gone on the internet, and, while that’s largely true, you can take steps to get close to that. Going back over the things you post to delete stuff that might be used against you is a good idea. Even if archives exist, it’s much more difficult for people to find this kind of stuff without lots of effort and digging on their part. It’s also a good idea to limit your presence to those you trust with the use of privacy settings on accounts, helping to eliminate prying eyes on your pages altogether.
Don’t Overshare
There’s an uncomfortable amount of oversharing that’s both seen as appropriate and often required when having a presence online. Whether you’re a famous YouTuber or just some random kid with a blog, the temptation and expectation are that you’ll update your followers on every aspect of your life. This is a bad idea if you intend to have any privacy whatsoever. Protect your privacy by speaking vaguely about identifying details in your life, and take care not to be too blatant about where you live or other things that might lead people to discover things you don’t want them to know. Additionally, try to remind yourself to question why you feel the need to post something else, especially when everyone, not just your friends and family, will be able to see it.
Set Boundaries
Above all else, setting boundaries with people you know online is a crucial skill to have. The internet has connected us in ways thought unimaginable even just a few decades ago, but this connectivity has also eroded our sense of privacy. Whether it’s with friends or just strangers lurking on your social media profile, set boundaries with how people interact with you. If someone’s asking for too much information, getting too friendly or is just generally making you uncomfortable, set boundaries. There’s no shame in asserting yourself.
The internet can be both an exciting and scary place, so it’s necessary to take some precautions in order to have a good time. Follow these best practices for safety to keep yourself out of trouble online.
Was this article helpful? Then you should definitely check out these other related articles from Teens Wanna Know:
Entering your dating years can be both exciting and scary. Before you head out on a first date, it is important to have a plan. Being prepared will help make sure that the date goes well. But how do you make sure you make a good impression so the person will go out with you again? Take a look at these three great tips to make sure that your date night gives your date a great impression of you.
Get Creative
When looking to make a good impression on date night, be sure to get creative and think outside of the box. While dinner and movie is a fun activity every now and then, you will impress your date the most if you come up with something a little more inventive. Ideas to consider include volunteering together, hitting up a local farmers market for snacks and a walk around town, or a hike into the woods followed by a picnic.
Clean Up
When taking somebody out for the first time, you want to put your best step forward. The first thing that you need to consider is your physical appearance. Be sure to show up well-groomed and smelling nice in order to make the best first impression. Although you want to smell good, be careful not to overdo it with the cologne or perfume. While it can be a challenge to do it right, cleaning the inside as well as the outside of your car is key to a strong impression. You want your date to feel comfortable while riding in your vehicle. Taking the time to present yourself and your car in the best possible light will set a positive start for the date.
Be Engaging
While it may be tempting to talk about yourself on the date, be sure to make the effort to be engaging and involve your date in the conversation. It is a good idea to brainstorm possible conversation ideas prior to your date so that you do not feel stuck if you run out of things to say. Asking your date open-ended questions is a proven way to get them talking and conversation flowing. Really listen to what your date is saying, and you will be able to discern the best things to talk about. Maintaining good eye contact throughout the date is also a good way to stay engaging.
While dates can be intimidating, if you make sure you’re prepared, you’ll increase your chances of having a good time. You may feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, but do your best to be confident. That can do wonders for a good first impression. Dates are supposed to be fun, so don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun. If you follow the above tips, you’re sure to have a great time. Who knows, you might even get your first kiss!
Are you in need of a break from your cell phone and social media? How about screens in general, including Netflix? If so, check out this guide to learn how to find clean family entertainment taht doesn’t involve looking at a glowing screen, which is increasingly associated with depression and other problems.
Family activities are a great way to get off your phone and make some lasting memories. Whether you have a big family or a small family, there are many “old fashioned” activities that can bring you closer together. Its good to reconnect in a world where families are increasingly worlds away — even when living in the same house.
Build a Garden
What’s a better way to enjoy the great outdoors while also helping the environment? If you said building a garden, then you’re right! It doesn’t take a botanist to figure out just how much fun you can have by planting and seeing the fruits of your labor (literally!) come to life.
Planning and planting a garden is an activity everyone in your family can be a part of. It’s a great way to get your hands dirty, cobnnect with nature, and have some fun!
Start by taking a family field trip to a local gardening shop to stock up on what you need, like plants or seeds suitable for your area and some common tools. You will also need some soil and fertilizer, and possibly some stones, wood, or other material to order your garden.
Building a garden is an activity that lasts long after the seeds are planted. Put your vision into action and reap the benefits, inclduing delicious fruits, herbs, and veggies if that’s what you plant!
Play a Board Game
Family game night could be just what the doctor ordered when you are bored and looking to take a break from social media. From classic board games to RPGs, board games are often the answer to families’ boredom.
Playing board games brings people together. You’ll find that no matter what games you’re playing, laughter ensues. The more you laugh, the less stress you feel. So no matter what’s happening in your life, the minute you roll the dice of Yahtzee or Go Fish you’ll feel a wave of relief and ushered into a night of fun with the people you love most. Okay maybe not if you play Monopoly, but that’s besides the point!
One of the best reasons to incorporate board games into your next family night is because it helps increase brain function and activity. It improves decision-making, problem-solving and mental growth in children, and might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in adults.
Go Camping
You don’t have to be an experienced outdoor enthusiast to enjoy a nice camping trip. You don’t even have to leave your home to enjoy a night under the stars.
Some families love camping so much they invest money into a camper or high-quality equipment to ensure all their needs are met. But you don’t have to own a camper or even camp chairs to get the most out of camping. Many families take advantage of their own backyard to enjoy the great outdoors. Pull out your old tent and bring out the s’mores. Its a great way to test the waters in a very safe way, not to mention you won’t have to travel too far to use the restroom!
No matter how you choose to camp, there is no wrong way to spend time with your family. Whether you drive to a local campground or stay in your own backyard, a night out under the stars is one of the best memories a family can create together.
Go to a Ballgame
One of the best things about sports is you don’t have to be a big fan to enjoy a day at the ballpark. Whether you’re there to see your favorite player or just there for the food and atmosphere, a day spent listening to the crack of a bat is a day well spent.
One great reason to see a game is because it gives you the opportunity to learn experience a large community of people who are into the same ting. You feel connected with real people all rooting for the same team, especially when someone starts “the wave.”
Another big selling point is the food. Each ballpark has a signature type of food that’s unique to the area. In Miami and Seattle, you can find great seafood while you’ll find a big, juicy steak sandwich in Atlanta. Not to mention the Crackerjacks, which are a classic!
Above all, a day at the game creates memories that last a lifetime, Each time you find yourself at a ballpark, you’ll instantly be taken back to those special memories you shared with your family.
Laugh together
It’s a comedian’s job to make people laugh and it’s your job, as a spectator, to give them that laughter. We’ve all heard that laughter is contagious and it’s been proven that laughter brings people together – so why not go to a comedy show with clean comedians?
One benefit of finding a great, family-friendly comedian is that they can be utilized for other events such as birthday parties or family get-togethers. You’ll never have to worry about the content that comes out of their mouths or what your little bro or sis might hear next if you choose clean comedians.
Say Yes to Family Activities!
Putting down your phone to reconnect with your loved ones is important. It doesn’t matter what family activities you choose to do, the memories are going to last a lifetime.
Make it your mission to set aside special time weekly or monthly to dedicate time specifically to your mom, dad, and siblings. You won’t regret the memories you make and the smiles, hugs, and laughs you receive in return.
One last tip: keep an eye out for fun free activities happening in your community throughout the year, such as We Like L.A.. This is a great way to stay on a budget while still creating space for fun!
On Saturday, August 3rd, social media influencers actors, and musicians came together with fans at Burbank Town Center for unique meet and greet opportunity.
Sponsored by TWK, Burbank Town Center, and social media photo kiosk company Fotonota USA, fans got autographs and pictures with their favorite stars and immediately received two free color prints from the Fotonota kiosk.
