There’s no escaping the fact that most children will want to play video games. As a parent it’s vital that you cultivate a safe environment and relationship with gaming. It can feel like an uphill battle, but small steps yield big improvements. Here are six of the best solutions at your disposal.
1. Limit Online Play
When thinking about the dangers of gaming, online threats stand out as an obvious focal point. Online bullying, inappropriate content from older gamers, and fraud are just some of the issues. While you probably won’t stop all online gaming, parental controls should be used to keep it safe. Parents should look to oversee online activities to check that their child is safe. If online gaming is enjoyed safely it can enrich your child’s experiences.
2. Avoid Games For Older Players
All parents will be aware of potentially inappropriate content on GTA. In truth, there are hundreds of games where the violence is too gruesome, and adult appropriate is included. A retro gaming store could be your saviour. The graphics are far less realistic, making them far safer for younger players. And you probably remember the games you played safely. The last thing you want is for your child to have nightmares due to gaming.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
3. Balance Screentime
Gaming teaches a range of valuable skills that support a child’s development. And it certainly should not be demonised. Still, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. It’s essential that you establish a good balance. You don’t necessarily have to put strict limits in place, but you should encourage kids to stop playing for at least one hour before bed and limit time to ‘play time’ so it doesnt interfere with learning or sleep. Crucially, you’ll want their life to be filled with other activities to create balance.
4. Protect Their Eyes
Screentime doesn’t only lead to sedentary lifestyles. It can seriously strain developing eyes while also disrupting sleep patterns. Wearing blue light glasses could be a key step towards protecting your child’s long-term vision. Taking regular screen breaks is also highly advised. Sitting a little further back from the screen is useful too. It can support their peripheral vision. If your child needs prescription glasses, they should also wear them for gaming time.
5. Stay On Top Of Anger
One potential problem, especially from younger gamers, relates to anger. Losing can be frustrating. While we all have seen rage quit videos and laughed, we wouldn’t want our kids developing those traits. One of the best ways is to choose sandbox games or other genres where there isn’t a linear narrative. Kids can then play the game on their terms. Stable emotions are a key ingredient in the recipe for healthier gaming.
6. Teach The Value Of Money
Finally, modern gaming can pose a financial threat. It’s much easier to lose the value of money when it’s just numbers on a screen. Microtransactions are a common feature of modern gaming, which can almost become like a form of addictive purchasing. That doesn’t mean you have to put a blanket ban on in-game purchases. Still, kids need to appreciate the costs involved. Giving them an allowance to manage is often the best solution.
There’s no escaping the fact that most children will want to play video games. As a parent it’s vital that you cultivate a safe environment and relationship with gaming. It can feel like an uphill battle, but small steps yield big improvements. Here are six of the best solutions at your disposal.
1. Limit Online Play
When thinking about the dangers of gaming, online threats stand out as an obvious focal point. Online bullying, inappropriate content from older gamers, and fraud are just some of the issues. While you probably won’t stop all online gaming, parental controls should be used to keep it safe. Parents should look to oversee online activities to check that their child is safe. If online gaming is enjoyed safely it can enrich your child’s experiences.
2. Avoid Games For Older Players
All parents will be aware of potentially inappropriate content on GTA. In truth, there are hundreds of games where the violence is too gruesome, and adult appropriate is included. A retro gaming store could be your saviour. The graphics are far less realistic, making them far safer for younger players. And you probably remember the games you played safely. The last thing you want is for your child to have nightmares due to gaming.
3. Balance Screentime
Gaming teaches a range of valuable skills that support a child’s development. And it certainly should not be demonised. Still, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. It’s essential that you establish a good balance. You don’t necessarily have to put strict limits in place, but you should encourage kids to stop playing for at least one hour before bed and limit time to ‘play time’ so it doesnt interfere with learning or sleep. Crucially, you’ll want their life to be filled with other activities to create balance.
4. Protect Their Eyes
Screentime doesn’t only lead to sedentary lifestyles. It can seriously strain developing eyes while also disrupting sleep patterns. Wearing blue light glasses could be a key step towards protecting your child’s long-term vision. Taking regular screen breaks is also highly advised. Sitting a little further back from the screen is useful too. It can support their peripheral vision. If your child needs prescription glasses, they should also wear them for gaming time.
5. Stay On Top Of Anger
One potential problem, especially from younger gamers, relates to anger. Losing can be frustrating. While we all have seen rage quit videos and laughed, we wouldn’t want our kids developing those traits. One of the best ways is to choose sandbox games or other genres where there isn’t a linear narrative. Kids can then play the game on their terms. Stable emotions are a key ingredient in the recipe for healthier gaming.
6. Teach The Value Of Money
Finally, modern gaming can pose a financial threat. It’s much easier to lose the value of money when it’s just numbers on a screen. Microtransactions are a common feature of modern gaming, which can almost become like a form of addictive purchasing. That doesn’t mean you have to put a blanket ban on in-game purchases. Still, kids need to appreciate the costs involved. Giving them an allowance to manage is often the best solution.
Share this:
Like this: