By Kerry Gallagher
Video games are an important part of our kids’ lives, but are especially important in the lives of boys. According to Pew:
- 73% of teen girls play online games for an average of about 2 hours per week
- 97% of teen boys play online games for an average of 10 hours per week
In a New York Times article, there is information about how we can be more aware of the role of games in boys’ lives. First, it can be helpful to recognize the benefits of gaming that experts agree about:
- Cognitive and problem-solving skills
- Elevate mood
- Nurture friendships and collaboration skills
Still, the time boys spend gaming can concern parents and educators. Online games have been designed to keep boys’ attention over the past 15 years. Teaching boys about these intentional designs can help boys understand when they are in control as compared to when the game might be influencing their behavior:
- Constant game updates such as new worlds, characters, weapons, or quests are released to reward daily check-ins
- Games are free because profits are made by incentivizing small, in-game purchases
- Limited edition virtual goods are meant to create urgency for players to buy for the game’s profits
Help boys be aware so they can stay in control of the game, and avoid times when the game features might be gaining control of them. Empower the young gamers in your life to retain their choice and control with this information.