The Power to Make Healthy Choices
for Your Family Download
Parent Guide (PDF)
Video games are becoming a part of everyday family
life. Whether your family has a console, a computer, or handheld device, it’s
a pretty safe bet your children play video games. With careful planning, video
games offer good family fun. As technology evolves, video games have become more
useful and a source of more fun for families. Most consoles offer Internet browsing
and social networking capabilities. Some games even promote exercise, encourage
cooperative fun for all ages and educate kids while they play.
But with
so many new advances, it’s important to remember one thing that hasn’t
changed: the influence of video games, like all media, have a powerful impact
on your kids. While there are an increasing number of options and tools to ensure
that video games play a positive role in family life, parents need to be vigilant
to protect their kids from negative impacts like online dangers, inappropriate
content, over use and addiction.
Weighing the Benefits
Against the Risks
Video games can be a lot of fun and a healthy part of sharing family time.
They can even be educational. Of course, allowing your children to play video
games poses certain risks and challenges. Any activity involves some risk and
it’s important to remember that there’s nothing inherently wrong with
video games. But because video games require so much focus and can immerse players
in whole other worlds, too much gaming and too much of the wrong games can have
a serious impact on young people.
Make sure you’re aware of these
challenges and risks when you make a family video game plan.
Video
Game and Internet Addiction
Millions of kids love video games, especially
boys. Our national survey revealed that 92 percent of kids age 2-17 play regularly.
That translates into 59 million young players. The overwhelming majority of these
kids play their video games, do their homework, keep up their responsibilities,
and have other interests. No problem. So it’s clear that video and computer
games are not inherently bad for kids.
Some kids, however, get hooked.
Computer game addiction is real and growing. Our research shows that almost one
out of seven game players shows signs of an addiction. If you think that you or
your child is struggling with video game addiction, seek professional help.
|
|
