In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about video games, from picking the right games for your kids to ensuring they’re staying safe while playing. We’ll also give you some tips and tricks on getting the most out of your video game playing experience, whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just getting started.
Video games have taken over our lives. Spending 8-12 hours a day playing video games has become the norm. Parents and kids alike are hooked, but the time spent playing these games is now considered screen time.
One popular solution is to limit hours spent playing games, but shouldn’t parents also encourage their kids to enjoy video games? It should. Video games are more than just a pastime; they’re an important source of entertainment and education for kids.
It’s easier than ever to play games on your smartphone. The gamer in your life can play games like Fortnite or Candy Crush Saga on the bus to school or battle zombies in Call of Duty while waiting for the pediatrician to call with a diagnosis. But video games are more than just fun—they also help kids build important life skills.
What Are Video Games?
Games have been entertaining humans for thousands of years. From storytelling to simple board games, humans have always enjoyed spending time playing games. And video games are no exception.
Video games are any game played on a screen, whether it is a television or a computer monitor. There are games where players use a game controller or a mouse and keyboard and games where players use sensors and cameras. Some games have you interacting with their environment, and some games have you interacting with other players.
How Do Video Games Work?
Video games can be a powerful tool for teaching kids (and adults) a lot of valuable life lessons. Entertaining games such as Fortnite teach kids how to survive in a disaster, and Super Mario teaches them the importance of perseverance and rewards hard work. In contrast, Plants vs. Zombies teach them about teamwork. But how do video games work? And which games are suitable for children?
Maybe the last thing on your mind as you’re enjoying a family movie or playing a casual game with your kids seems to be how it works, but there’s a science to video games, and it’s fascinating. The fields of computer science and electrical engineering are closely linked, and video games are an incredible way to teach math, science, and even martial arts.
What Are the Benefits of Playing Video Games?
Video games have gotten a bad rep, especially in parents’ eyes. They have been linked to increased aggression and violent crime among youth and blamed for the decline of youth’s attention span. However, nothing could be further from the truth. They benefit kids and adults and help them learn, develop, and interact.
Plenty of video games are designed to help adults burn a few calories. But are you aware of how video games can help kids develop cognitively and socially? They offer parents a way to engage their kids in healthy, positive ways that promote learning.
How Can Parents and Kids Survive the Video Game
Video games can be fun, educational, and a wonderful way to bond with your child. But do you know what’s really dangerous about them? Kids who spend too much time playing video games will become overweight. Yes, it’s true! Kids who play too many video games will spend a lot more time sitting in front of the television or computer screen than playing outside or doing sports.
Fortnite is wildly popular with kids of all ages. But it isn’t just fun—it’s also excellent for teaching kids good decision-making skills. Fortnite gets kids off the couch, and it’s true!
Like winter, video games don’t appear every year. I can’t recall a time when I had to choose between playing outside or playing video games. The transition to video games came slowly. Parents and grandparents were slow to adopt video games. When they did, they didn’t know what to expect. We were used to boarding games, which can last for hours, and outdoor activities like sledding, which take even less time. Video games, in contrast, don’t have a set clock and usually end abruptly. They are really addictive.
Parents and kids need to discuss these behaviors and decide whether they are worth being tolerated. If not, parents should try to be consistent and follow through. We need to stop glorifying violence to our children. Video games are one, but not the only, form of media that leads to aggressive behavior. We must teach children that violence is not acceptable.