Digital Artefact – The Benefits of Video Games for Children – BLOG 3

From the primary and secondary research I have undertaken in my previous blog posts, I hope to take away the negative stigma behind video games and children’s development. I want to emphasis that developing video games all comes down to intent. Choosing the right video games for your child is what makes them affective or not. Stating that video games are bad for children, I believe is incorrect. Games that depict violence, I agree will increase kids’ aggressive behaviour but it all comes down to a healthy approach consisting of moderation.

Majority of parents struggle to understand whats right and wrong. Our generation being one of the first to play video games at such a young age makes the decision very difficult. From my own experience and further research I have delved highlights that educators suggest children to stay away from video games. I believe whats most evidential are the words from people like scientists and psychologists. Author Games Rheine complements this argument as he looks into the science of video games and children’s development.

As technology is developing so is intend. When video games were first coming about the prime goal was entertainment, how can we get our audience to pick us over our competitors. Many modern games serve as interactive forms of education to children. Like SIMS and Nintendogs, they help kids about real world skills they can use later in life.

Scientists and psychologists believe video games helps children with the following:

‘Problem-solving skills and enhances creativity’

‘Teaches kids about history and culture’

‘Socialisation with friends’

‘Healthy competition’

‘Creates leadership skills in children’

‘Motivates children to teach others’

‘Improves children’s memory that can further help in their adulthood’

Opposing these benefits, I can agree that video games can encourage children to engage in violent behaviour, create anti-social behaviour and discourage children to do well in school. By parents being more involved with what their children are playing, creating boundaries and most importantly following a healthy approach of moderation, all positives impacts can extract the negatives.