Kids' Educational Games and Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance Article

Device Friendly
Game Type
School Age
Lessons
Skills
Rating
A-Z

Kids' Educational Games and Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance

Aug 14, 2023 | 0 Votes

by Mel - rate For many, gaming is one of a variety of activities children enjoy. Although many play them in moderation without adverse consequences, others become obsessed with video games—with potential problems ensuing.

That’s why it is advisable for parents to establish a clear set of rules when it comes to their children’s involvement with video games. Games Educate Kids - Kids' Educational Games and Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance

Games Educate Kids - Kids' Educational Games and Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance

Let’s face the simple fact: a vast majority of kids in the US play video games. According to DataProt findings, updates as of May 2023 cite that out of 214.4 million American gamers, 51.1 million are children—or a whopping 90% of American children (and as high as 99% of boys and 94% of girls).

For many, gaming is one of a variety of activities children enjoy. Although many play them in moderation without adverse consequences, others become obsessed with video games—with potential problems ensuing. They might stay up playing all night and become too tired to get up for school the next day. Their schoolwork can suffer. They can lose interest in other activities and rarely socialize with others in person. Some children even start to cover up how much they are playing. And according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, excessive screen time or video game use is linked to a variety of health problems such as obesity, insomnia, and behavioral issues.

But there are steps a parent can take to set limits on gaming. Setting limits on video game time for kids is a reasonable approach to ensure a healthy balance between gaming and other activities as well as fix a gaming habit that’s out of control.

But limits only work if you stick to them. Unfortunately, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study conducted in 2010, two- thirds of US children and adolescents indicate that their parents have “no rules” related to time spent on media use.

That’s why it is advisable for parents to establish a clear set of rules when it comes to their children’s involvement with video games. The following are some tips for limiting managing your kids’ video game time:

Establish Clear Rules

Clearly communicate the rules regarding video game time to your kids. Let them know how much time they are allowed to spend playing games each day or week.

What’s more, formulate a games plan for the whole family. Talk to kids about what shows they want to watch and which games they want to play. Agree on what they can watch and play and for how long. Set a curfew and turn off the TV or device after scheduled play time is over. And it’s important for the entire family to be on the same plan no matter their age. As parents, modeling healthy behavior is key. The American Academy of Pediatrics even has a guide for making a Family Media Use Plan on their site that parents can use to formulate a plan that every family member can follow.

Make Sure You Know and Approve of Their Games

As a parent of a minor, you have the right — and the responsibility to know what games your kids are playing. Ask them directly or view web browsers if you are unsure. Find out about their video game preferences. In addition to setting rules about times for playing, you should also include rules related to the types of games allowed. Preview programs, games and apps before allowing your child to view or play with them. You can and should prevent purchase and use of games with extreme violence or graphic sexual content.

Organizations such as Common Sense Media have developed programming ratings and reviews to help you determine what's appropriate for your child's age. Better yet, watch, play or use them with your child.

Set Specific Time Limits

Determine reasonable time limits for gaming sessions based on your child's age, responsibilities, and overall schedule. For younger children, shorter time periods may be appropriate, while older kids may be allowed more time and flexibility.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests time allotted should be under 30 to 60 minutes per day on school days and 2 hours or less on non- school days. The group recommends even lower limits of under 1 hour of total screen time per day for children under 6 years old, and they encourage parents to determine the appropriate amount of time for video games and other electronic media use for children over the age of 6.

Regardless of what limits you think are appropriate, some days each week should involve no gaming. It is crucial to ensure that your child develops, maintains, and enjoys other non-video gaming activities.

Set Specific Gaming Schedules

Establish a schedule that outlines designated periods for video game play. Remember that gaming should occur only after your child completes his other responsibilities for the day such as homework and household chores. Be sure to check the quality and completeness of homework and chores prior to allowing your child to begin playing. This helps them understand when they can engage in gaming and when they need to focus on other activities like homework, chores, exercise, or socializing. Playing video games should be treated as a privilege that is earned.

Consider a Reasonable Time Frame for Schedule Reassessment

Consider following any gaming plan for 1 or 2 months and then reevaluate it. Letting your children know that you are instituting a temporary change will result in a greater buy-in from them than a permanent change. You may decide that the initial plan is too restrictive. You could then loosen it after a couple of months if your child is adhering to it and no problems are evident. Remember that it is easier to loosen restrictions than to tighten them.

Determine Realistic Consequences for Breaking Rules

The outcome for violating the rules must be enforceable and immediately applicable. You do not want to tell your 14-year-old daughter she cannot go to the prom when she is 16 if she breaks the rules right now. Acceptable means of discipline include withdrawal or delay of privileges and time-out. A more reasonable option is a complete ban on gaming (or media use more generally) for several days or weeks if your child does not abide by the rules.

Use Parental Controls

Many gaming consoles and devices have built-in parental control features that allow you to set time limits and restrict access to games based on age ratings. Take advantage of these features to enforce the agreed-upon limits. Also, try to eliminate advertising on gaming apps, since young children have trouble telling the difference between ads and factual information and may be tempted to click on them, resulting in either unintended purchases or exposing them to unwanted content.

Encourage Alternative Activities

Encourage your kids to participate in a variety of activities outside of gaming. Promote physical exercise, reading, hobbies, socializing with friends, and engaging in creative pursuits. Help them discover and explore other interests.

Replacing gaming with other activities is critical to changing excessive gaming behavior. Your kids are gaming in large part because they find it fun and it is something they are good at. Gaming can be done virtually any time, with little planning or effort. Because many devices are used for other activities, a game is just one click — and one second — away. When your child has little else to do, games are always there to fill the time. To help your child fill free time, actively promote participation in other recreational activities. Consider activities that you and other family members can do with them. The replacement of activities should be on the days of the week and during the times of the day when your child most often plays video games.

Lead by Example

As a parent, you can’t just talk the talk when it comes to limiting screen time. You need to walk the walk. Children are more likely to follow rules if they see their parents practicing similar habits. Limit your own screen time and demonstrate a balanced approach to technology use. You might need to be at your computer most of the day, but you can limit your own social media use, gaming and television time, and other digital activity.

Monitor and Engage

Keep an eye on your child's gaming habits and ensure they are adhering to the established limits. Be present and involved in their gaming experiences by showing an interest in the games they play and discussing their choices.

Parents shouldn’t be complacent either. You cannot allow your child to bend the rules when you are tired or distracted. Regardless of other issues that arise, you need to follow through with the consequences immediately if your child breaks the rules. You must feel comfortable with the plan you propose, and you must be committed, willing and able to follow through with it. If both parents are involved, both must be on board with the monitoring of gaming time and rules surrounding it.

Build Digital Literacy

At some point your children will be exposed to content that you haven't approved and devices without internet filters. Talk to them about the situations that could occur and the behavior you expect. Encourage your kids to think critically about what they see on their screens and ask them to consider whether everything on the internet is accurate. Do your children know how to tell if a website or chat group is trustworthy? Help your child understand that media is made by humans with many points of view—not all of them with their best interests in mind. Also explain that many types of technology collect data to send users ads or to make money.

Teach Appropriate Online and Gaming Behavior

Parents should acknowledge that online relationships and social media have become a major part of children’s lives. Experts suggest that it's okay for them to be a part of these worlds — as long as your child understands appropriate behavior. Explain what's allowed and what's not, such as sexting, cyberbullying and sharing personal information online. Teach your child not to send or share anything online that he or she would not want the entire world to see for eternity.

No matter how smart or mature you feel your child is, parents should monitor his or her online and social media behavior. They are bound to make mistakes when gaming and using media, that is why it is imperative that you talk to your children and help them learn from those mistakes.

Establish a Reward System

Consider implementing a reward system that recognizes and incentivizes adherence to the agreed-upon limits. This can help motivate children to manage their gaming time responsibly.

Provide rewards to your child when he or she is involved in activities that do not relate to gaming. These rewards can be tangible, involving actual goods, services, or even money. They can also be intangible, such as verbal praise or simply attention. You can replace gaming times with rewarding recreational activities such as a day of biking or a visit to an amusement park—which can also serve as rewards for not gaming. If your child has been gaming at a level that is causing harm, most likely one of the adverse consequences has been a worsening of your relationship with them. Positive reinforcement for non-gaming activity is one way to improve that relationship, and that can be rewarding to a child, too.

Remember, every child is unique, and it's essential to consider their individual needs and circumstances when setting limits on video game time. Communication, patience, understanding, and flexibility are key to finding a balance that works for both you and your children.