Video games can be a positive learning tool for children and familiarization with the new technologies, but they can carry risks if they are not used properly. Especially, if the game time is abused and done alone.
When a child spends too much time in front of a video game (or adolescent, or adult, but the youngest are the most vulnerable) he can develop various disorders, from physical (tired eyesight, obesity or headaches) to psychological ones (isolation, irritation, aggressiveness and antisocial behaviors).
That is why, since they are small, parents should monitor their games and the time they spend with them. In this way we prevent them from accessing inappropriate content (we remind you what the symbols that accompany video games mean) and that they spend too many hours in front of the screens.
As adults, our task is to educate, train and prevent the risks associated with the misuse of video games. Sharing the time of playing with the children, watching how they do it, helping them, commenting on the play, will prevent the children from isolating themselves.
We can also choose games of several participants, at the same time or in turns. Here we remind you more tips to learn and enjoy with video games.
In this way we prevent the game from becoming a redoubt in which the child has no contact with other people and ends up hypnotized by the screens abstracted from everything that happens around him. In addition, playing in family from time to time we strengthen the bond and a different contact, although we must not forget other games and different ways of having fun.
Some alarm signs that indicate that a child is not making good use of video games, spending too much time with them and giving them exclusive attention, are:
He is irritable when we deny him the possibility of using them.
Connect the game console or computer as soon as you get home.
Look for isolation to not be "bothered" while playing.
It does not come out without your portable video game.
It lies to manage to play at all hours.
Delays time to eat or go to bed to play.
Set aside or be reluctant with other family activities.
Obviously, these are extreme cases that we as parents can and should avoid, not letting them spend too much time playing video games and sharing those family moments. Offering them shared leisure alternatives is a good option to avoid problems.
