There’s no way of getting around anxiety in parenthood, and plenty of things will draw your attention and trigger some worrying thoughts. Like all parents, one of those things will be video games and their impact on your child’s education. You’ve heard a lot of both negative and positive things about video games in the news – which only makes it harder to know what to believe or how to approach this subject with your kids.
Should you let them play video games? Should you ban them? What’s the best approach to help with their education?!
The questions pile up – causing more anxiety – so this guide will help you understand the entire situation. You’ll see the possible benefits and drawbacks of video games for your child’s education, along with some key tips to find the perfect balance.
Video Game Benefits
Never assume that video games are bad for your kids. That’s an archaic viewpoint that’s been disproven many times over. The reality is that video games can be hugely beneficial for a developing child, particularly when it comes to their education. Here are some of the key advantages you may witness:
- Improved Cognitive Skills: A legitimate study in 2022 found that children who played video games performed far better in cognitive tests involving impulse control and memory compared to children who’d never played a video game. Gaming can help a child develop better cognitive skills that translate to various aspects of their education.
- Better Problem-Solving: Video games force kids to think laterally and solve different problems on their own. This transfers over to their education and can make them better at solving math problems or spotting certain patterns. When used in the right way, video games can simply be an alternative way to educate your kids.
- Promotes Tech Skills: If your child plays video games on a computer, this can help them develop better technological literacy. In other words, they understand how to use computers and digital devices proficiently – sometimes even before they step foot in school. They’re growing up in a highly digital world, so learning key tech skills from an early age will only be beneficial.
- Encourages Social Collaboration: As your children get a bit older, they may start playing multiplayer games with friends or other kids from around the world. These games encourage social collaboration by getting your child to communicate with others and work together. You can imagine this is useful in a classroom setting because they’ll be better at group projects or working in teams with other kids. It can also develop more social skills, even if they’re interacting with people online.
- Offers A Sneaky Way To Educate: You can also argue that video games sneakily educate your kids in ways that they don’t understand. It’s easy to find educational video games that teach children core skills like counting, spelling, etc. However, because they’re playing a game, they don’t associate it with learning, which (ironically) makes them buy into the lessons more. It’s a lot easier to get your kid to learn through a game than it is to stick a textbook in front of them.
Video Game Downsides
Despite these clear benefits, you must acknowledge that video games come with a few possible downsides for your child’s education.
- May Lead To Shorter Attention Spans: The way some games are designed could mean your child gets used to having multiple things to do at once. When they transition to a classroom setting, it could be hard for them to concentrate without this constant stimulation, creating a shorter attention span.
- Can Take Up Important Studying Time: This is a bigger problem for older kids and teenagers. They may become so involved in video games that they leave no time for studying. It’s the biggest worry for parents; you fear that their academic performance suffers because they spend all their time playing video games.
- Could Actually Decrease Social Skills: While the argument can be made for video games improving social skills, the opposite could also be true. There’s a worry that kids growing up playing video games might not have the same skills as children from previous generations who’d go outside and play with one another. This can make it harder for your child in school because they feel more self-conscious or alone.
Photo by Emily Wade on Unsplash How To See The Benefits Without The Downsides
The pros and cons of video games are what make them so anxiety-inducing for parents. You can clearly see the educational benefits, yet you’re worried about exposing your child to the downsides. Nevertheless, there are ways to see the benefits without the downsides – and that’s where you step in, as a parent.
- Choose Games For Them When They’re Young: Avoid exposing your kids to games that may yield some of the downsides. Opt for educational or puzzle-based games with zero risks, like sudoku or chess. Keep them away from the dangers and they’ll get the joy of playing games with the benefits of developing key educational skills.
- Set Gaming Time Limits: Almost all of the video game downsides relate to overexposure and too much play time. If a child plays for hours on end, then it can lead to a shorter attention span – not to mention a lack of time for studying or doing other social activities. With that in mind, you should implement gaming time limits for your kids. Let them play for an hour or so, but ensure they take long breaks so they’re not stuck in front of a screen for too long. It breaks up their gaming experience and ensures you don’t see the downsides mentioned earlier.
- Encourage Your Child To Go Outside: You need to be a bit more forceful than simply stopping your child from playing games now and then. Sometimes, you have to actively encourage them to go outside and play in the fresh air. Arrange play dates with their friends when they’re young, or bring them along on errands. You want them to spend a lot of time in the real world where they interact with others or run around a bit.
- Reward Studying With Video Game Time: As your child becomes old enough to go to school, they’ll start getting homework. This presents a big conundrum as they could spend too much time playing games and not enough time studying. The best way to counter this is by using video games as a reward for studying. Tell your child that they’re more than free to log on and play some games if they complete all of their homework or read a few pages of a book. You can use games as an incentive for encouraging better educational habits in your kids. Of course, if they have homework to do, then check it over or do it with them to be sure they aren’t rushing through and doing it wrong!
Summary: Games Can Be Good If You Control The Bad
That previous section brings us to the conclusion of this guide, and there’s a pretty obvious final summary. Video games can and will be very beneficial for your children, aiding their education in multiple ways. However, they’re only good if you control the bad side of video games and stop your children from seeing any negative effects.
It’s all about being a more active parent and encouraging your child to do other things alongside their video games. Let them know that games are good, but don’t give them free reign to sit down and play games for hours on end. If you find the right balance, then your child’s education will prosper.
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