Video Games: An Introduction
E-Parenting: Video Games
Video games have come a long way since today's adults sat down at a computer to play Pong or Donkey Kong. The newest-generation gaming consoles are as powerful as personal computers, and can accomplish many of the same things. And today's games are increasingly realistic and technologically advanced. Social networking has even made its way into the video game industry with online gaming. These virtual worlds can be complicated and perplexing to parents, which is why it's important for you to understand what your child is playing and when to get worried.
Whether your child is an avid gamer or rarely picks up a controller, it's important to understand the world of video games--especially in the age of online gaming--so you can make your child's experience with games both a positive and a beneficial one.
Did You Know?
- In 2009, over 11 million people played World of Warcraft, an online, subscription fee-based multiplayer game.
- According to one study, nearly 1 in 10 young gamers displayed behavior patterns similar to addiction.1
- The Kaiser Family Foundation found that 8- to 18-year-olds are exposed to an average of 10 hours and 45 minutes of media each day.
Whether your child is an avid gamer or rarely picks up a controller, it's important to understand the world of video games--especially in the age of online gaming--so you can make your child's experience with games both a positive and a beneficial one.
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1. Douglas Gentile, “Pathological Video Game Use among Youth 8 to 18: A National Study,” Psychological Science 20, no. 5 (2009): 594-602.
I have two boys an 8year and a 19 year old.
i have been experiencing all the negative side effects of what video games do to children. Its becoming a strugle with my 8 year old, and he’s become obssed and is starting to show agression towards me. i have placed rules when he can play but he’s no longer obyeing them.. i’m feeling very over whelmed by my situation. i have to say i truly hate video games there’s nothing positve about them. I’m getting to the point where i will have get rid off his video system.
The previous commenter may need to do more research into family settings on the consoles, check the ratings of all games, and offer positive incentives to not play all the time. Video games can be an incredibly positive part of a child’s life, if presented in the right manner. Is your child playing games that are meant for older children/adults?
There are many types of games available, several that are educational. Add in to the mix the exercize games, and you might be surprised that there are games that are very beneficial. There are also ways to make sure that you child obeys – such as taking the required components (power cords, a/v cords), enforcing the rules with punishments, ect, ect. Just like with television, it’s all about what you allow to happen.
I totally agree with the first comment. I think the negative side effects is so much more out weighted the positive effects. I know there are some “good” games such as exercise games. What is the % of those in the total game population? Yes, there are ways to control kids by taking away equipments or using blocking software. It only works on younger kids (<10 years). When your child is taller and strong than you and knows more about the technology than you, you basically lose your power. The only think I can do to my 14-year old is to keep talking to him about the bad consequence and pray that he will understand one day… For my 8-year old, I am limiting his educational online time and have not let him to play any purely fun video game. Crossing my fingers…
The only think I see wrong about having your child play un-fun video games is that one day he will find one he likes alot and become addicted to it. I am a young (23) soon to be father and my parents never bought me a game system, and the first one I purchased was when I was 16 from all my saved allowances. Now its true that I never had my system taken away (I am sure it would have been a differant story if they had purchased it for me) and if they even wanted to they wouldnt know how to unplug it lol. I think parents need to change, for example, you wouldnt go just you and your child bungee jumping and know nothing about it right? Why would you introduce your child to something you know completly nothing about. If people are really worried about what thier kids are doing on the internet or in gaming…do the things for yourself, read up on it, or get with someone who does because you never know the risks of something (even if you read it) until you know yourself. I have been in several online (and online gaming) where there are predators, vulgarity, along with racism and sexual innuendo flooding the waves. I for one will definatly let my daughter play video games, but respect ESRB ratings, and when it comes to Facebook or online networking, know exactly what crowd she interacts with and what actually goes on there.
most video games have bad sublianal messages in them
I like how the 5th comment down is put. You wouldn’t take your child bungee jumping without knowing anything about it, why then would you allow your child to have a video game system and you not know anything about it? My husband likes video games, I do not. But our family has a wii and we play the sports together and Just Dance. My oldest plays with his dad as well, but the time is always limited to an hour or less. And I think if you keep yourself “in the know” at least then you are including yourself in your kids’ lives. The minute you aren’t as knowledgeable about what they are doing as they are, then problems can arise.
I have been a gamer for a long time, but even I know how to control myself (sometimes) when it comes to control on playing games. My parents have tried to control my usage and failed, but I found a way and they haven’t bothered me on my gaming for 2 years. So if your child is getting obsessed with a video game, 1st, find out what they are playing, and 2nd, find a plan for them that they would stay active in real life and balance it with the virtual life. Don’t just take away the system completely, because the child will find it and sneak playing it.
I think people put to much blame on video games for violence and poor behavoiur. Yes, there are some games which may have over the top violence but those games are made and marketed for an audience over 18 years of age. Most people who play games are in their mid 20’s or early 30’s. If a game is violent or you feel it is not apporiate for your child, then don’t buy it. You wouldn’t buy an 8 year old child a ticket to an R rated movie, so why buy an 8 year old child a violent video game. There is a rating system like there is for movies and T.V shows recomending age groups for certain games.
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