It’s been 30 years since video games migrated from dimly lit arcades at the mall to living rooms and bedrooms. Since then, two generations of children and teens have found themselves in front of a game for hours at a time. They are programmed that way; video games aren’t much fun unless you care about beating this level, earning points, or gaining privileges.
Although it seems obvious, video games are mostly counterproductive to academic success. That being said, they produce some positives. Depending on the game, video games build hand/eye coordination, critical thinking skills, problem solving, and teamwork. When used in moderation, they can be a positive treat or a way to blow off some steam.
But if you go too far down the rabbit hole, bad things start to happen.
A ESRP report shows 25% of video game players in 2010 were under the age of 18
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported in 2010 that students spend an average of 50 hours per week in front of some sort of screen (phone, tablet, TV, computer, etc.). That’s a full time job, plus 10 hours of overtime. Your child might be spending more time with technology than you do—and you’re probably being paid to. They’re doing it free.
Video gaming itself takes up 10 hours on average from that total. When the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only 1 to 2 hours per day of any electronic usage, you can see that a lot of kids go too far.
What happens?
First, let’s knock out the extreme cases. A 15-year-old in Ohio was rushed to the hospital after playing Call of Duty for 5 days straight and passing out from dehydration. A teenager in Taiwan died from a heart attack caused by a blood clot generated while sitting for 40 hours. These are obviously cases in which the parents were at least partially negligent, but it can happen.
What’s more likely is for grades to start slipping. After all, video game time has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is often homework or reading time. That’s why taking away the video games or phone is the first resort of parents who are unhappy with a report card. There’s nothing wrong with that approach. It teaches students that there are consequences to a lack of responsibility.
Also, in certain personality types, video games can lead to increased aggression. Even if the game isn’t particularly violent, today’s kids are able to “talk trash” to their adversaries. Some students—those who are neurotic, less agreeable, and less conscientious already—have trouble separating real life from the game. For example, if someone accidentally bumps into them in the hall, they might choose confrontation over a normal response.
What can you do?
The answers here are obvious. Pay attention. If grades are slipping, take action. If your child’s personality is changing or behavioral issues are starting to appear at school, talk with them to isolate a source of their frustration. If there isn’t one, it might be time to limit the video games.
And just like anything else in life, moderation is key. A kid whose only interests are video games will not become a well-rounded adult. Limit the screen time and provide some other outlets for them to use their free time.