The first thing to consider is whether video games are affecting your child’s development positively or negatively. We’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of this form of entertainment, and the social and brain development impacts of video games. Video games are safe and provide an outlet for creativity, and you can also play with your kids to improve communication. Here are three things to keep in mind while playing video games with your child.
Positive:
Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and the Paris Descartes University recently examined the relationship between time spent playing video-games and children’s cognitive abilities, social skills, and behavior. The findings of this study were published in Psychiatric Epidemiology. The authors conclude that high video-game use may be beneficial to children’s development. However, these findings are not a cure-all. They caution that children should exercise moderation when playing video-games.
Negative:
Video-games are a common source of boredom for many children. These games can even affect academic performance. Some children can skip out on basic hygiene like bathing, and end up playing these games for longer hours. Video games can also lead to violent behaviour. Children who are addicted to these games may not even realize they’re abusing their bodies. Then, when they’re forced to put them down for a nap, they may get violent.
Impact on brain development:
In recent years, video-games have received attention as an affordable, effective, and enjoyable intervention for enhancing and maintaining cognitive skills. The playful nature of video-games may lead to substantial impacts on brain development and structure. Yet, a smattering of studies argues that video games are not harmful, and that they may in fact improve mental health. Here, we review the literature and critically examine methodological issues related to this field.
Social:
There’s been a lot of debate about the effects of video games on the development of children. But one study suggests that video games can have both positive and negative effects on a child’s development. One study, conducted by Iowa State University, found that children who play violent games show an increased risk of aggression in the long run. Furthermore, playing violent games increased physiological arousal, such as heart rate. These effects can be linked to increased aggressive behavior in young adults.
Learning:
Researchers are still studying the effects of video games on the brain, but it appears that they can improve cognitive skills and increase attention spans. These games often teach children about different cultures, values, and skills. Because they are interactive, they encourage players to explore a wide variety of skills and gain a sense of achievement. Some games even teach children how to become better social creatures, such as superheroes. Some video games have even been shown to improve children’s motor skills, such as patience, and other skills.
Attitudes toward gender roles:
Attitudes toward gender roles in video games are often influenced by a child’s socialization. In a study, participants were asked to rate sexism in popular video games based on their socioeconomic status, and those with higher socioeconomic status endorsed less sexism. In fact, high-strung players were more positive toward their female teammate, while those with low socioeconomic status endorsed more sexism.
Social skills:
A new study suggests that video-games can have a negative impact on children’s social skills. Research has shown that playing video games reduces children’s ability to listen to other people, respond to nonverbal cues, cooperate, and express themselves in appropriate social situations. Despite the negative effects of video games, some studies have indicated that they can have positive effects, especially when kids play them with real-life friends. The study also found that kids who play video games tend to develop stronger social skills when they interact with friends in real-life situations.
Attitudes toward technology:
Recent research has revealed that parents’ attitudes towards technology in video-games negatively affect the development of their children. The researchers analyzed data collected in collaboration with the TV2 Danish news network, which aired a documentary program on worried parents and the effects of video-games on young people. Parents who volunteered to participate in the study reported that they found it more difficult to parent than 20 years ago, and 14% attributed this difficulty to technology.
Author Bio: Miguel Gabriel is a research-based content writer. He has worked in various industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance. He is currently working as an writer in Research Prospect famous for dissertation writing services and essay writing. When Miguel is not writing or researching, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also loves traveling and learning about new cultures.
