Children and video games

Nowadays, video games are part of the world of children, often from an early age. Children have access to these games on different platforms: the computer, game consoles, but also tablets and mobile phones. It is therefore important to regulate its use, because some video games can involve risks. However, these games can also help children learn and develop skills. Therefore, it is not necessary to ban them.

The benefits of video games

Children can reinforce certain qualities and skills through the use of video games, depending on the type of games chosen. Several specialists have recognized the benefits.

• Video games can foster bonding with others, both online (multiplayer games) and offline, since around 70% of children share this interest.
• Some multiplayer games, such as puzzle games, require teamwork and cooperation.
• Depending on their nature, video games can help improve a child’s self-esteem or mood. While video games are not a solution to self-esteem issues, they can help a child feel better. For example, a child who has lower self-esteem may, by successfully completing a mission or completing a level of the game, experience successes and thus develop a better self-image.
• Some video games develop skills useful for science subjects, such as logic, speed of information processing, and visual and spatial skills. They have an advantage over traditional games in this area, because the interaction and speed of execution required reinforce certain intellectual skills.
• Other slower video games, such as puzzles or certain puzzle games, improve problem-solving skills. Since the rules are unwritten, the child has to be deductive and creative to solve problems in a wide variety of situations.
• Video games are less passive than television and can be an opportunity to actively learn certain subjects ( mathematics , history, language) and to inform children about social themes. Well chosen, these games can strengthen empathy, openness to realities other than one’s own, and sharpen judgment.
• The main objective of video games is to motivate the player to complete the different levels in order to succeed in the game. Studies show an effect on the ability of the child to maintain his motivation in the long term and to persevere until the achievement. of a task. This type of commitment can continue outside of play, in sports and at school, for example.

Risks associated with video games

We must remain vigilant and supervise the use of video games, because they contain traps that can harm the development and health of the child.

• When a child spends time in front of a screen, they are not spending that time moving around and being physically active. Even if your child is hopping and gesticulating in front of his favorite game, it does not replace the physical activity necessary for his psychomotor development.
• The brightness released by the different screens keeps the brain awake by reducing the level of melatonin, the hormone regulating sleep . It is therefore recommended to limit its use in the evening and to prevent the child from being exposed to it before bedtime .
• No matter the type of video game, the risk of developing an addiction is always present. However, the child who develops an addiction generally hides a problem of adaptation to his environment. Beyond the number of hours spent in front of the screen, certain behaviors constitute warning signals that may indicate an addiction: high level of anxiety , restlessness at school, presence of frequent nightmares and irritability. It is therefore important to remain attentive to what the child is going through.
• It is important to closely monitor the content of video games the child is playing. Many studies have made a link between the violence of certain video games and the range of behaviors that the child is likely to adopt afterwards. The risk associated with violent video games is to teach the child that among the solutions to a problem, several violent behaviors are possible and effective, and even rewarding. Moreover, the more realistic the game, the more important it is to learn, because the child easily identifies with the character. On the other hand, the negative effects of violent video games are much less important when it comes to collaborative games, because team play reduces the effect of violence by developing, in the first place, the capacities of collaboration and mutual aid.
• Some video games also convey stereotypes, particularly with regard to women and nationalities.
• Today’s video games are often enriched along the way by the users themselves. These additions are not rated, and inappropriate content may end up in games that were initially rated for everyone.
• Multiplayer games are played over the Internet with unknown players of all ages. These players can converse with each other, and because their chats are not framed, they may not be suitable for a child.

The recommendations

In order to minimize the risks associated with the use of video games, while enjoying their benefits, here are the recommendations of the specialists.

• Frame the usage time. It is recommended to limit the time of exposure to screens (television, video games, Internet) to a maximum of 2 hours per day for children aged 5 to 11.
• Avoid the presence of screens and consoles in your child’s bedroom, as their gaming activity is very difficult to control after bedtime. Instead, install the television and console in a more central location in your home (e.g. living room, playroom). So your child doesn’t have to isolate themselves to indulge in their leisure time and you can also keep an eye on the type of game they like to play.
• Provide your child with different types of games (edutainment, adventure, strategy, simulation) to develop skills and various fields of interest.
• Make sure the video game content matches your values. Choose, for example, games that expose your child to diversity and teach respect for others.
• Learn about the content of your child’s video games to make sure they are appropriate for their age, but also their level of maturity.
• When your child is playing a video game, take the opportunity to spend time with him. Talk to him about his tastes and interests. Maybe you’ll get caught up in the game and play co-op with him.
• Observe if your child’s behavior changes. If he becomes more irritable, nervous or isolating himself, take the time to understand what he is going through and find the source of the change to remedy the problem.
• Whatever its format, play remains a central activity in a child’s life. Avoid being overly critical of video games if your child likes them. To reject this type of activity en bloc is to reject a part of the universe in which your child is growing up. This can be experienced as hurtful or humiliating and cause him to withdraw into himself.

Types of games

There are several categories of video games. These games can be very different from each other. Here is an overview of these categories to better navigate.

Educational
games These games are sometimes called “serious games”. Their primary objective is to educate through play. They fuel reflection, raise awareness of a reality or inform the child on a chosen subject. They can contribute to the learning of certain school subjects.

To learn more about these games, you can visit edululu.org , which is dedicated to the evaluation of educational games.

Strategy
games Games in this category can be puzzles or more advanced strategy games such as games that involve building a city or conquering a territory. When appropriate for a child’s age group, they sharpen logic, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Simulation games
They bring a real life environment to life for the child. It could be the on-screen reproduction of a sport or the simulation of the operation of a space shuttle. They sometimes include a role-playing game , a virtual universe where the child is represented by an avatar or an animated character. Depending on the context of the game, they may require some thought, convey information to the child, make him experience a reality other than his own and exercise his ability to resolve conflicts or other problems.

Action or adventure games
In general, these games ask the child to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. They help develop certain skills (concentration, speed of execution and problem solving).