VIDEO GAMES: Hobby or Harmful?

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Written by: Amanda Elias, M.A.

In the past 30 years, video games have had a large impact on how people, particularly children, spend their leisure time. The explosion of its popularity in the past decade has left people questioning not only the content of the games, but how much time their children are spending playing. A recent report showed that 45% of heavy video game players and nearly a third of avid gamers are in the 6 to 17 year old age group (NPD Group Inc., 2006). Furthermore, a study of 2000 8 to 18 year olds found that 83% of them have at least one video game system in their home, 31% have 3 or more game systems, and 49% have game players in their bedrooms (Roberts, Foeher, and Rideout, 2005). In this same study, only 21% of kids reported that their parents set rules about which games they can play.

Why are video games so popular? Children are reporting that the games are fun, they help release tension, they like to feel in control, and they feel a sense of mastery when they are successful in winning the games. There is some truth to these statements, as video games have been instrumental in fostering positive skills and abilities for some children. Not only can games improve a child’s computer skills, but they can provide practice for following directions, improving problem-solving skills, as well as logical and abstract thinking skills. According to www.mediafamily.org, games can provide practice in fine motor and spatial skills. Although many parents feel video games are destructive to academic skills, studies have shown that children who play video games develop reading and math skills, inductive reasoning skills, estimating skills, memory skills, and multi-tasking abilities (www.raisesmartkid.com). When games are played with peers, it can also build teamwork and cooperation skills.

What about the content of the games? Does the violence and stimulation affect your children? The answer is YES! Mediafamily.org found that practicing violent acts through games may contribute more to aggressive behavior. Games can confuse fantasy and reality which can impact their real-life logical thinking abilities. In many games, the players must become more violent to win, and if the game is arranged in a way that the child is controlling the violence through a 1st person experience, this can be even more influential. Over-dependence on video games has also been linked to creating social isolation, as most games are played alone. Additionally, a study conducted by Adelphi University found that boys aged 11-14 who had more experience playing video games spent less time working on unsolvable puzzles and experience signs of more impatience and frustration.

What can I do as a parent to prevent these negative effects? First and foremost, if your children are picking the games, you must check the ESRB rating symbols. The only ratings that are deemed appropriate for children younger than 17 are: EC (Early Childhood), E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10 and older), and T (Teen). Parents need to impose time limits on game playing. Psychologists have found that when parents limit the amount of time as well as the types of games their children play, children are less likely to show aggressive behaviors (Anderson et al., under review; Gentile et al., 2004). Encourage your child to play with friends or engage in other activities that are more physical and promote social interaction. If you are ready to make a change for your video game playing child and want them to learn to socialize effectively and provide them with an opportunity to develop and maintain friendships, check out Families by Designs Social Skills Summer Program for Children at www.familiesbydesign.net or call 561-994-7222 ext. 404.