Is gaming healthy for Kids?

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1120 views

 It depends on how we collectively define ‘health.’ Dr. Przybylski’s study uses a widely accepted SDQ (strength and difficulty questionnaire) method of measuring “internalizing and externalizing problems,” “prosocial behavior,” and “life satisfaction.” He found that in some cases, gaming is beneficial. “Compared with non-players, children who typically invest less than one-third of their daily free time showed higher levels of prosocial behavior and life satisfaction and lower levels of conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and emotional symptoms.”
So, should we allow kids to just play video games or we need them to get out and be more active on ground, more collaborative with friends when playing soccer, or any other game. Is virtual collaboration good for kids or should we let them collaborate in real world?

Videogame development
Kidspiration
Videogames industry
Health Education
Collaborative Problem Solving
Collaboration
Masarrat A Shah
60 months ago

6 answers

2

I think "A lot of Gaming" is not good. Video games can turn into an addiction if not controlled. I also think, we need to closely what type of content these games offer. Sometimes - a lot of violence or fight, that is certainly not good if played for a long time.
I always believe in old school theory of playing on sports-ground. That teaches you team spirit, sense of loosing a game, winning it back and above all - confidence.

Hitesh Mathpal
60 months ago
Thats what I was looking for, we need to have kids on sports grounds, where they learn. respect, collaboration, team work and understanding world and society better, rather than being on video games and acting robots with virtual world. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
Hitesh Mathpal , agreed! Nevertheless, due to my point of view, it is not the question of one or the other, but both could be combined. - Patrick 60 months ago
Yes, too much of screens - no good. - Maya 60 months ago
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The question exists since the 1980s, when Atari gave families the opportunity to play arcade games at home. Studies conclude that play up to 1 hour a day foster the children's social skills, including reflexes, etc. More than this it harms social skills. So as all other games, it is good, if it does not get too much.

Patrick Henz
60 months ago
Agree with you, but that good is how much good and too much is where it does not have end, - Masarrat A 60 months ago
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I think like everithing in life, a moderate use of gaming should not be a problem, the abuse of gaming is the bad side and when is the child crossing the thin line between fun gaming and abuse gaming is a difficult to perceive.

María F Lara
60 months ago
Agreed, also parents have to be aware WHAT their children are playing. If possible, play sometimes together with them. Most of the parent generation grew up with video-games, too. - Patrick 60 months ago
Few months back I was in Australia, and was shocked to see these young kids on road in train in bus only on their phones and playing video games and thats so bizzare. I was surprised to see that most of them were from Japan, China... why are they so much engrosed in games. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
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I have three children - 9, 6, 2. The 6-year old is most interested in video games. He is only allowed to watch YouTube or play video games after he has completed his piano practice 6 days a week. This stipulation makes it a little hard for him to be able to play with friends because of my restrictions, but he and friends do play at least once a week. My two-year old likes to cheer my six year old on. I guess I could see the team sport aspect in this way. My 9 year old is less interested but will play once in a while. My kids got the Nintendo Switch for Christmas from their Grandmother. I really didn't want it, but will admit it was a God-send on multiple blizzard days. My husband has been playing video games forever and recently he and his childhood friends began planning a Dungeons and Dragons night. They all live in different places, so it was a nice reunion without all the gossip.

Shannon Moran, MCIS
60 months ago
Thank you Shannon for your prespective. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
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No. It really takes a lot of valuable time for from studies and family time.

Dr. Mazlan Abbas
60 months ago
Thanks for your view, however could you please elaborate a bit what you mean by valuable time and where parents need to take call? - Masarrat A 60 months ago
Sorry - I wrongly phrase... it should be "from". No more family time and less time to focus on studies. - Dr. Mazlan 60 months ago
Agree with you, there has to be balance for all things kids do. Parents need to understand where to draw a line. I say sort of make a Time Table for them and manage accordingly. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
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Gaming has evolved since the initial home consoles in the 80's. The most popular games are online multi-player with advanced strategy and teamworking as core concepts. We purchased an XBox system for our 11 year old as a way for him to connect with his schoolmates after studies and over the summer when schedules or weather prevent in person meetings.
That said we do closely monitor and restrict the amount of time he is able to use any screen for the day. Too much of any one thing can become negative. The benefits of social connections and problem solving online can quickly be erased by unchecked friend requests, negative or abusive players and harassing behavior from other online players. As parents it is our responsibility to stay informed, aware and involved.
In my opinion, any MD or PhD would advise that online games, in moderation and under parental guidance, can indeed be a healthy addition to a child's life experiences.

Oren Birks, MBA
60 months ago
Thanks Oren for your prescpective and yes I agree with you. However, the enviornment in which we are and the way parents are busy with their jobs and running in race of survival, they are not able to give right attention to kids and this is resulting in kids getting into virtual world and finding companions and attention which they should get from parents and this i cause of worry. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
I agree that it seems many parents today are less attentive to their children and video games have taken a large portion of time from a traditional family. I contend that parents are evolving just as games and children are and many parents are meeting up with their children online in games. The risks are there, have always been there, even before online platforms. - Oren 60 months ago
People have to come out of virtual world and see reality and face realities. - Masarrat A 60 months ago
Once again we agree on the need for children, all people, to disconnect and form real human to human relationships. This is the main reason in our home we limit screen time and online activity so strictly. We push human interaction face to face over the virtual option. Balance being the key and certainly acknowledging the risk of virtual isolation and online only friendships. - Oren 60 months ago

Have some input?