Special Case: Managing Video Games

Managing video game use has become one of the biggest challenges for parents in the digital age.

These devices, omnipresent in the lives of school-age children, present a duality: on the one hand, they can offer benefits for cognitive development, but on the other hand, their excessive or inappropriate use carries serious risks for physical and mental health and the development of values.

Establishing a clear discipline around video games is not an option, but a necessity to protect the welfare of our children and ensure a balanced development.

Benefits and risks of video game use

Like almost everything in life, video games have two sides.

On the one hand, they can be beneficial, as they help develop important skills such as visual-motor perception, reflexes and the ability to concentrate, which can positively influence learning.

However, the risks associated with their indiscriminate use are significant.

The main problem is the number of hours children spend in front of the screen.

• Physical risks: As a completely sedentary activity, excessive video game playing impairs muscle and bone development and is a key factor in the increase of childhood obesity.
• Neurological risks: Prolonged exposure to electromagnetism from screens is being studied for its possible long-term effects, including the development of tumors.

Recommendations on exposure time and type of content.

The key to mitigating risks is discipline in time and type of content.

Exposure time: Experts recommend a maximum of one hour every third day.

While this may seem like a strict rule, it is based on evidence of the negative effects of excessive screen time.

The visual and auditory overstimulation of video games can alter brain structure and lead to depression, hyperactivity, anxiety and sleep disorders.

It is essential that children dedicate time to physical activities such as running, jumping and face-to-face socializing, as they are essential for the correct development of their body and brain.

Type of content: Not all video games are the same.

It is the parents' responsibility to supervise what their children play and to have the authority to say "not this one" if it is considered inappropriate, regardless of whether "all their friends play it".

A very useful tool is to use a timer or alarm to mark the end of play time in an indisputable manner.

The Danger of Violent Video Games on Values Development

Extremely aggressive and violent video games represent a particular danger, as they can undermine and deteriorate children's code of values.

The constant exposure to images of blood, death and extreme violence makes children learn to see these acts as normal, losing their natural sensitivity to the suffering of others.

Often, in these games, the protagonist and "hero" is the one who kills the most, decapitates the most enemies or causes the most destruction.

This glorification of violence teaches that power is obtained through aggression.

In addition, many of these games contain misogynistic messages, where women are presented as "prizes" or objects, teaching children not to respect them.

Contrary to what one might think, children do not always distinguish clearly between fiction and reality; fiction profoundly influences how they perceive the real world.

As a result, important values such as compassion, sensitivity and love deteriorate.

Summary

Managing the use of video games has become one of the biggest challenges. They have benefits, such as developing visuomotor perception, but also serious risks.

Physical risks include sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity. Experts recommend a maximum of one hour every third day.

Extremely aggressive and violent video games deteriorate the code of values. The glorification of violence teaches that power is obtained through aggression.