What are the benefits of video games? Have you seen any?

[LauraEMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We all worry about how much is too much when it comes to screen time for children and it can be hard to know which video games are appropriate. But there are some benefits to video games - cognitive and educational ones for the players, and peace and quiet for the rest of the house.

We’re writing an article on the effects of video games on children and we’d love to hear your views. Do you think there are any benefits to children playing video games? What skills have your children learnt or developed through screen time? And do you have any advice for parents who are uncertain about how to approach this subject? Please share your thoughts below.

Thank you!

MNHQ

Huge benefits of modern platforms.

They allow the child/young adult to have access to collaborative group activity. If they use specialist headset the group can talk amongst themselves and plan strategic action.

It promotes cohesion and group moral.

It helps with problem solving, planning and leadership.

It let's them access fantasy worlds together.

It can be creative.

Not all games require guns, lots of collaborative platforms are purely creative .

It's been a Godsend in this age of Covid. My sons all log in in the late afternoon and chat loudly, lots of laughter. They plan missions too loudly.

It's also helping them get ready for the next age, which is likely to be based around computer technology.

My eldest son is programming, younger two are playing. My daughter shows no interest at all.

Once I realised the high level of social interaction and group activity my outlook changed. It's the modern way.

My son is 7 and autistic. He loves playing computer games and they have unlocked actual play with other children for him.

It’s been proven that they don’t affect behaviour and can enhance a lot of skills

Well that's a pretty lofty statement!!! Our house changed with the introduction of the X box. ALL of our kids change when they're playing, waiting to play etc. All tense up WHILE playing, ignore everyone else, scream at the screen etc. We have tried everything over the years, had scheduled, not had scheduled, cut down on screen time, played with them but in general we end up with at least one having to be told off, taken off. There are definitely educational positives though, problem solving and logic, also the enjoyment they get when not getting stressed or cranky

They've been a godsend for my son, he has a bad stammer but doesn't hardly stammer when he's chatting to friends over Xbox so in some ways I encourage it....anything to keep him talking, especially at the minute.

Great for keeping in touch with friends at the moment (and/or other times) if played online under supervision.

He is addicted to gaming. He wakes up at midday if we let him. Goes to the bathroom and starts playing
Comes down for breakfast lunch and dinner. Goes back to playing. Will cook if asked.

His online socials is about the game. He doesnt even know how to have a conversation. An example is a friend from primary reconnecting, them gaming for 3 days straight and he knows nothing about, which uni, which course, or anything about friend, but he does.comment that it's great reconnecting (Result💪). Wakes up in the middle of the night to play.
That said for his course he has an idea for a game I'd play. Really good. Talks about developing. But once again no get up and go to.do it. It's safer in his bedroom.

Roll on uni (providing he has done enough to get in), cause therapy, shouting, personal responsibility and bribing has not worked. He's now a man it really is up to him.

My other half did a lot of gaming when he was younger and through this he learnt programming languages and now has a good job cos of it. Had he not had an interest in gaming he might not have invested time in learning code and got so good a job.

The only time I see the negative effects of gaming getting spoken about is with popular violent grants which are all 18 certified so why the hell are younger children doing playing those games? Pff.

Not all games are violent.
Games inspire imagination, teamwork, appreciation of art forms, empathy, logic, strategy.

Games like Journey, The Unfinished Swan, Thomas Was Alone... Are all beautiful games. Journey inspires cooperation between two people who can only communicate by making a single sound.

Some games to me are as good as a good book. I can't wait you share them with my daughter.

Playing on the Xbox has been brilliant for my son (13) at the moment as he's able to chat to his mates.

Interestingly a while ago he had a flying lesson with my husband. He was much better at flying the plane than my dh. The pilot said it was because he was used to small movements on his controller. He made the flying look so easy and my dh is normally good at things like that. So it's not all bad.

My DS taught himself to read so he could play Minecraft properly and talk about it with older kids.

my kids knew what Lapis lazuli was from Minecraft when a tour guide somewhere was telling us about it. He was well impressed and trotted off to check it out. I have a very quiet 15 year old DD but he keeps up with his friends online gaming and gets very animated. My family comment that it is the only time they hear him talk!!

We find that all screens Male our children moody little arseholes but games in particular make them horrid (I have a few puzzle type ones on my phone that I occasionally cave and allow them to play). It’s just not worth it. There’s nothing that they can’t learn without video games (and the inevitable foul mood they create). It’s just not worth it.

my kids knew what Lapis lazuli was from Minecraft

Lol! I’m a Geologist! I was giving a talk/presentation thing at a Y6 “women in Science” day at a local junior school. Hand the things I said were contradicted by a Minecraft expert who knew “all about rocks and minerals from Minecraft”. Except, not in real life....

Haha I learned what a lapis lazuli was from the harvest moon series where there is mining :)

I can't wait until our baby can play games. Daddy is a keen gamer and has to keep his violent games until little one is in bed.

Video games developed me a lot. Also, it was the only chance to escape during the quarantine. I found a lot of new friends with the help of video games. Now I'm playing rocket league ranks. I'm still getting into this game but I already like it. Actually, I found the tutorial for this game, and to be honest it is very useful. I think that it will be very nice from the part of the game creators to prepare such tutorials about the game's playlist and all this stuff. So don't be afraid, a game always has benefits you just have to look for them.

I was looking forward to this utility
run 3