Technology has taken over the world. From television to iPhones, nothing can limit the growing usage of technology in today’s world. For younger kids, this primarily means more shows and a significantly increased number of video games.
The effects of video games on young children should be shared with young parents and families, along with managing their kids’ time spent on games in general. Video games constitute entertainment and information for young kids. Some topics should be taught by their parents, not a random person online.
The AAP, the American Academy of Pediatrics, did a study on young kids involving video games. They found that over 90% of children two or older play video games. They suggested that children between the ages of eight and 17 should spend an average of 1.5 hours daily playing video games. In today’s age, kids spend more than an hour and a half on video games.
Video games take over life. With more opportunities to receive a gaming console, kids spend countless hours online. This means that they are unprotected online and exposed to cyberbullies and phishers.
Cyberbullying is very common online. A study done by the Pew Research Center found that nearly half of the United States teens have been cyberbullied. The reason is that cyberbullying is done by a person online whom the victim has no idea who that person is. They may be a friend or just another random person in the world. This creates a shield for the bullies. Their victim doesn’t know who they are. They aren’t afraid to speak their voice or their opinion because the person they are bullying doesn’t know who they are, and they don’t have to face them head-on.
Cyberbullying creates feelings of depression and anxiety. An article published by the National Library of Medicine found that other mental health effects from cyberbullying include negative affective disorders, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and somatic symptoms.
Along with cyberbullying comes information that may not be appropriate for a six-year-old kid to hear while playing Roblox. When playing online, children are exposed to diverse groups of people and inappropriate information. Different games have even resorted to only allowing people in the same age group to chat online.
However, cyberbullying and information sharing online in video games are not the only effects kids face today. Playing video games for extensive durations of time affects behavior in children. A big factor is playing violent video games.
A study done by the AAP focused on the question “Can violent video games make children more aggressive?” They concluded that violent video games are a risk factor in increased aggressive behavior, as well as that younger kids lack the ability to understand mature gaming content(violence, strong language, substance use, gambling, etc.).
Depression and social isolation may also be factors of excessive time spent on video games. People who play video games become stuck in the game, and they forget about the real world. Cyberbullying and playing video games alone cause depression.
Video games can hinder cognitive development in young kids. The National Library of Medicine completed a study and found that using screens or playing video games at young ages can negatively affect academic outcomes, executive functioning, and sensorimotor development. They also found that it impacts kids’ ability to speak.
When kids are young, it is a crucial time for learning language skills and developing various aspects of that language(vocabulary, phonology). Playing video games takes away time from the kid and their caretaker, ultimately stealing time from practicing and developing their language skills.
Video games have physical effects, such as eye strain and headaches, which are common when playing excessive amounts of video games. There are also backaches, poor posture, and stiff necks.
Playing video games for hours upon end can take away time from regular hygiene and health activities. When video games are prioritized over exercise, brushing your teeth, or showering, and you’re in a sleeplike state, making time melt away, taking you away from sleep.
Video games aren’t all bad. They teach kids about problem-solving skills, reduce stress, and even allow non-social kids to find their group. They also bring a sense of purpose from beating levels or building something new.
Video games aren’t bad if they are managed correctly. Playing too many video games opens doors for horrible mental and physical effects. However, managing time spent on video games allows kids to be healthy and receive helpful tools to further their futures.
