Agreed.
Hitting the bars with the boys (in moderation) is actually far less of an issue than too much modern-age gaming.
The research on this is very early, but prolonged gaming with the genre containing Fortnite, Call of Duty, etc. (shooter-based games which rely on players remembering paths, key locations, etc. to give them a tactical advantage) has been show to reduce grey matter in the brain over time. It has to do with the brain remembering specific paths, movements in the game and almost going on auto-pilot during gaming sessions with familiar maps.
Additionally, when there is an XP or other type or “level-up” feature, serious addiction can result leading to overloading of the brain’s reward system circuitry. This can lead to depression, anxiety, loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies and inability to experience joy/pleasure (anhedonia).
World of Warcraft has been studied as a culprit of this, as has Fortnite. The effects are less pronounced in other video game genres like sports games, as stuff like Madden and EA Sports’ NHL titles rely more on hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, and there typically is not as heavy of a focus on “leveling-up.”
It’s amazing that for the longest time, people scoffed at internet and video game addictions being a real thing, but research has proven otherwise. They have even compared the CT Scans of methamphetamine and opioid addicts to those addicted to internet-based habits like gaming or pornography, and the results show very similar results to those addicted to the narcotics.
Essentially, anything that loads the brain’s reward circuitry with excessive dopamine is potentially problematic and should be used sparingly in order to avoid the development of addiction.
The current young generation of NHL’ers are theoretically all at potential risk for letting gaming interfere too much with their hockey careers, and the league should look into an awareness campaign for young guys entering the pros.
I’m too lazy to look up the studies on this but if you google it, you will suddenly look to limit your own video game consumption, or at the very least, your kids’.