Almost all children love to play video games and most parents wonder if there is any harm in it. Here you can learn the pros and cons of letting your kids play with video games.
The Pros Of Playing Video Games
Playing video games does not mean that children have to play alone. Multiplayer games let kids interact with each other and give parents the chance to do something with their children that they will both enjoy. Kids learn to work as a team and still develop social skills by spending time with others while playing.
All kids need outdoor time, but on rainy days or during inclement weather, video games are a good way to pass the time while still developing hand eye coordination and simple motor skills. If the games have motion sensors, like Xbox Kinect and Playstation, kids can still get in a little exercise. While video games are a good supplement to exercise, it should not be their main source of physical activity.
Many hand held video games and video games in general, offer educational games as well. The Nintendo DS has games to help kids learn another language, practice math facts and even learn to read. To get the most out of game play time, look for games that are fun but also help your child learn something.
The Cons Of Playing Video Games
Children who spend too much time glued to video games lack social interactions do not develop the personal skills they need. Even though there are games that let your children play along with motion sensor, they only burn less than half the calories that they would playing in “real life.”
Just like adults, children can also suffer from addictions. Video games are a toy and that is how they should be treated, not as a necessity. Parents find video games as an easy option to spending time with their kids or they use them as an electronic babysitter. Each child needs to have a time limit to their video game play or some form of parental control.
Video games and consoles are not cheap, every child wants them but they may not be mature enough to have them. Game systems like Leapster are a little more sturdy than a PS4 or Nintendo Switch, but each one is a pretty hefty investment. A kick ball or a jump rope are quite a bit cheaper and quality time with the family does not cost a thing.