---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The destructive effects of video games…"
description: "\"“The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness w..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png"
---

#  The destructive effects of video games are not on boys'…

![“The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness with the real world.” quote by Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png)

> ““The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness with the real world.””

[Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Video games mainly harm motivation and real‑world social ties, not mental speed or cognition.

**In simple terms:** Games reduce drive and real‑world connection.

Key Takeaway

Limit screen time to protect motivation.

Themes

motivation social connection technology impact youth development

Mood

concerned reflective

Type

advisory analytical

When to use this quote

- parenting
- education
- personal productivity
- mental health
- community engagement

Key Concepts

psychology media studies behavioral addiction

Questions to Reflect On

- How does gaming affect your daily goals?
- What real‑world activities replace screen time?

A Different Perspective

May overlook benefits like coordination or stress relief.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Cognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Real world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-world/) [Relatedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relatedness/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-issues/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Video](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video/) [Video games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video-games/)

## Related quotes

> [I think we assume a lot about both genders. But in particular I think we assume that only boys play games and that boys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashly-burch/i-think-we-assume-a-lot-about-both-genders-but-in-particular-i-think/)

[Ashly Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashly-burch/)

> [Time goes by, but marbles is one of those simple kids games that boys hardly forget how to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-malfatti/time-goes-by-but-marbles-is-one-of-those-simple-kids-games-that-boys/)

[Jean-Paul Malfatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-malfatti/)

> [In time, after a dozen years of centering their lives around the games boys play with one another, the boys' bodies change and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/in-time-after-a-dozen-years-of-centering-their-lives-around-the-games/)

[Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/)

> [Love is not a doing but a state of being - a relatedness, a connectedness to another mortal, an identification with her or him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/love-is-not-a-doing-but-a-state-of-being-a-relatedness-a/)

[Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/)

> [“Advances in communication technology foster a false fantasy of togetherness by transmitting the impression of contact- phone calls, faxes, e-mail- without its substance. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lewis/advances-in-communication-technology-foster-a-false-fantasy-of/)

[Thomas Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lewis/)

> [“Loving is limbically distinct from in love. Loving is mutuality ; loving is synchronous attunement and modulation. As such, adult love depends critically upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lewis/loving-is-limbically-distinct-from-in-love-loving-is-mutuality-loving/)

[Thomas Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lewis/)

> [My interest in culture generally is a comparative one, and I think that's where the word joy, I think, can be applicable. There's joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/my-interest-in-culture-generally-is-a-comparative-one-and-i-think/)

[Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/)

> [Think about what it feels like when you interact with someone who makes you notice what's good about yourself (raising your status), who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rock/think-about-what-it-feels-like-when-you-interact-with-someone-who/)

[David Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rock/)

> [“Every specific human being, however, thinks, judges, imagines, wills and expresses himself or herself in a unique, dissimilar, and unrepeatable mode--a mode of unpredictable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christos-yannaras/every-specific-human-being-however-thinks-judges-imagines-wills-and/)

[Christos Yannaras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christos-yannaras/)

> [“In a dazzling vote of confidence for form over substance, our culture fawns over the fleetingness of being “in love” while discounting the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lewis/in-a-dazzling-vote-of-confidence-for-form-over-substance-our-culture/)

[Thomas Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lewis/)

> [“Modern amorists are sometimes taken aback at the prospect of investing in a relationship with no guarantee of reward. It is precisely that absence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lewis/modern-amorists-are-sometimes-taken-aback-at-the-prospect-of/)

[Thomas Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lewis/)

> [“Humanity is not an aggregate of individuals, a community of thinkers, each of whom is guaranteed from the outset to be able to reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/humanity-is-not-an-aggregate-of-individuals-a-community-of-thinkers/)

[Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/)

> [“The environment is not an "other" to us. It is not a collection of things that we encounter. Rather, it is part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lakoff/the-environment-is-not-an-other-to-us-it-is-not-a-collection-of/)

[George Lakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lakoff/)

> [The real relatedness between two people is experienced in the small tasks they do together: the quiet conversation when the day's upheavels are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/the-real-relatedness-between-two-people-is-experienced-in-the-small/)

[Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/)

> [The kind of relatedness to the world may be noble or trivial, but even being related to the basest kind of pattern is immensely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-kind-of-relatedness-to-the-world-may-be-noble-or-trivial-but-even/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

## More by Leonard Sax

> [Girls and boys respond to stress differently - not just in our species, but in every mammal scientists have studied. Stress enhances learning in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/girls-and-boys-respond-to-stress-differently-not-just-in-our-species/)

[Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

> [“Quoting an experienced school counselor: "You can't change a bully into a flower child, but you can change him into a knight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/quoting-an-experienced-school-counselor-you-can-t-change-a-bully-into/)

[Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

> [“Defining yourself in terms of how you rank is always dangerous and ultimately immature. It doesn't matter whether the rank has to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/defining-yourself-in-terms-of-how-you-rank-is-always-dangerous-and/)

[Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

> [If we fail to provide boys with pro-social models of the transition to adulthood, they may construct their own. In some cases, gang initiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/if-we-fail-to-provide-boys-with-pro-social-models-of-the-transition/)

[Leonard Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

[Explore all 5 Leonard Sax quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/)

## More Boys quotes

> [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/)

[John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/)

> [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/)

[Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/)

> [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/)

MrAwesome

> [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/)

[Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/)

> [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/)

[Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/)

> [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/)

[Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/)

> [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/)

[Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/)

> [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/)

[Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/)

> [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/)

[Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/)

> [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/)

[Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/)

> [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/)

[Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/)

> [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/)

[Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/)

> [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/)

[Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/)

[Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness with the real world.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Leonard Sax"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-are-not-on-boys-cognitive/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Boys"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-are-not-on-boys-cognitive/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/leonard-sax-64110_boys_the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-a_1208332.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on…” — Leonard Sax",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Leonard Sax",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sax/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The destructive effects of video games...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-are-not-on-boys-cognitive/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sax/the-destructive-effects-of-video-games-are-not-on-boys-cognitive/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
