Video games and their impact on child development
We live in a world in which we increasingly use the virtual world for any routine activity due to the constant evolution of new technologies. Of course, this evolution has revolutionized the different ways of entertaining, generating a considerable attraction to our children and not so children. Therefore, our children should develop skills to be able to cope and optimize the benefits offered by the video game.
The importance of video game and its impact on child development affects millions of children. Video games have played a fundamental role in entertainment, an essential area in the evolution of our children.
Many parents suffer from feelings of worry, uncertainty and helplessness as they perceive how their children spend hours playing the different videogames offered by the market. They are also health professionals, who warn about the negative consequences of prolonged exposure to the computer screen, isolated from reality.
However, video games can also enhance intellectual, emotional and personal capacity, provided that the "kings of entertainment" are properly used.
By nature, the game is the main strategy in which the child builds, imitates and creates having fun. However, what happens with video games? Why do they hook our little ones so easily? How many types of video games are there?
Types of video games for children
It is recommended that parents know what kind of video games their children play, differentiating between them and understanding the reasons why they "hook" children:
1. Platform video games: They offer different levels increasing the complexity among each other. In this way, speed in the execution of thought is promoted in order to overcome the level. Of course, it can also produce great fatigue that hinders concentration in subsequent activities.
2. Simulation video games: they imitate the driving of motor vehicles with different missions. They favor the coordination of the vision with the movement planning strategies to go overcoming the previous scores. On the contrary, the games can be very long, reducing the time for other activities or generating fatigue.
3. Sports strategy videogames: simulate the execution of a sport becoming the most used. One of its advantages is that it promotes cooperation and teamwork, since it allows the possibility of two or more players.
4. Action or fight videogames: they promote combats loaded with high doses of action and violence. Numerous studies indicate that it is not that they return to aggressive children (they promote hostility and vulnerability) but that they encourage violence in minors who are predisposed to it.
5. Role video games: The player develops the identity of a character that must develop their abilities both physical and powers. His adventures are developed in hostile worlds and loaded with fantasy.
Despite the differences between types of video games they exist, they have a common factor: they establish challenges that if overcome, the child's self-esteem increases, generating short-term satisfaction, facilitating a subtle attachment.
Benefits of good use of videogames
In summary, if the use of video games is adequate, it offers the following benefits:
- Positive tool to motivate children to compete, what can be positive for the school and life itself.
- Group cohesion.
- Strategy planning.
- Coordination of movements.
- Promotion of cognitive abilities: memory, attention, perception, information processing and execution.
On the contrary, if the use is uncontrolled, they can generate the following effects:
- Abusive behaviors that can generate addiction.
- Isolation.
- Deterioration of social skills.
- Promotion of the tendency to violence.
- Feelings of anxiety, anger and frustration.
- Physical consequences such as tachycardia, increased cortisol or development of obesity due to sedentary lifestyle.
As in many other aspects that are related to children, parents play a fundamental role in the use of video games by their children.
To do this, parents must know the type of video games, their positive and negative consequences depending on the use and time that is offered. It is also very important to establish limits through appropriate schedules that reduce the exposure time to obtain the positive results offered by video games. In addition, you should avoid installing the computer or console in the children's room to favor supervision and respect of established schedules.
As we all know, the game allows the child to develop their learning in a fun way and fostering their self-esteem.Video games can also be a very practical tool to encourage interaction between parents and children, strengthening the parent-child relationship.
Ángel Bernal Caravaca. Psychologist and Mediator Co-founder of Lomber Soluciones Cyberbullying.
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