Video gaming provides hours of entertainment for many American boys each week. Very few boys grow to become adults without playing their fair share of video games, which often include some amount of violence. Playing these games can have adverse effects on the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of the young people who play them if they are not properly monitored. However, studies have also concluded that playing complex role playing video games can actually improve problem solving skills, improve fine motor skills, improve perception skills, and, in some cases, even raise I.Q. It almost becomes a situation where "you are darned if you do and darned if you don't". So, what is a parent to do when it comes to video games?
The answer is really quite simple. Parents need to parent. Most parents would not let their child watch any movie that they wanted to see or read any book that they wanted to read. The same must become true of video games. Most parents see video games as things that only children play and, therefore, assume that all games are written with children in mind. This is simply not true. To avoid problems, parents should be involved in their children's video game selection process just as they should be involved in their television programming selection process. Children should only play games rated for their age bracket. If a six year old is playing a game rated M for mature, that game may cause the child to act out aggressively and possibly develop a propensity for aggressive behavior. If a stable 17 year old plays the same game, that game is likely to have no impact on his aggressive tendencies since his emotional personality is already somewhat complete.
In addition, most parents would not want their children on the internet or watching television constantly or late into the night. The same should be said of video gaming. Children in school should have very limited access to video games during the school week. School nights should be off limits or have very limited game times. Weekends should be available for game play only when homework is complete. If parents monitor their children's video games and the amount of time played, they can decrease or eliminate the risks that come with playing video games. Many young avid gamers have detailed restrictions placed on them.
Although there is some reason for concern if a child plays video games regularly, there is also reason for concern if they never play games. These games are proven to improve fine motor skills, problem solving skills, and perception skills. Some researchers even believe that kids who game have higher intelligence. Parents of gamers must stay aware of the newest video game technology by reading the latest magazines. They must limit the amount of time a child spends gaming. Every video game box must be reviewed by a parent for ratings and content warnings. Children can also be made to "earn" game time by acheiving good grades. If children are guided in their game selection and permitted only to play age appropriate games for a limited number of hours per week, the results will be a healthy, happy, non-aggressive child.
Video gaming provides hours of entertainment for many American boys each week. Very few boys grow to become adults without playing their fair share of video games, which often include some amount of violence. Playing these games can have adverse effects on the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of the young people who play them if they are not properly monitored. However, studies have also concluded that playing complex role playing video games can actually improve problem solving skills, improve fine motor skills, improve perception skills, and, in some cases, even raise I.Q. It almost becomes a situation where "you are darned if you do and darned if you don't". So, what is a parent to do when it comes to video games?
The answer is really quite simple. Parents need to parent. Most parents would not let their child watch any movie that they wanted to see or read any book that they wanted to read. The same must become true of video games. Most parents see video games as things that only children play and, therefore, assume that all games are written with children in mind. This is simply not true. To avoid problems, parents should be involved in their children's video game selection process just as they should be involved in their television programming selection process. Children should only play games rated for their age bracket. If a six year old is playing a game rated M for mature, that game may cause the child to act out aggressively and possibly develop a propensity for aggressive behavior. If a stable 17 year old plays the same game, that game is likely to have no impact on his aggressive tendencies since his emotional personality is already somewhat complete.
In addition, most parents would not want their children on the internet or watching television constantly or late into the night. The same should be said of video gaming. Children in school should have very limited access to video games during the school week. School nights should be off limits or have very limited game times. Weekends should be available for game play only when homework is complete. If parents monitor their children's video games and the amount of time played, they can decrease or eliminate the risks that come with playing video games. Many young avid gamers have detailed restrictions placed on them.
Although there is some reason for concern if a child plays video games regularly, there is also reason for concern if they never play games. These games are proven to improve fine motor skills, problem solving skills, and perception skills. Some researchers even believe that kids who game have higher intelligence. Parents of gamers must stay aware of the newest video game technology by reading the latest magazines. They must limit the amount of time a child spends gaming. Every video game box must be reviewed by a parent for ratings and content warnings. Children can also be made to "earn" game time by acheiving good grades. If children are guided in their game selection and permitted only to play age appropriate games for a limited number of hours per week, the results will be a healthy, happy, non-aggressive child.
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Studies Regarding the Effects of Gaming
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Conclusion about violent video games