Over the years video games have gotten a bad rap and have been touted as being the reason behind bad behavior, obesity, and even ADHD. Anything is bad for you when not moderated and many times children really just need more moderation and boundaries. Video games themselves are not bad; here are some reasons Educated Unlimited thinks that with proper boundaries video games are good for kids.

Promote Problem Solving Skills 

Part of child development is learning to work through and solve problems. There are many video games that promote all types of problem-solving methods and aim to educate rather than dumb down a child. Whether they are battle games, fantasy, or simulations they have the ability to teach a child how to navigate their way through space, community, or nation.

They teach you who to trust and who to not trust through trial and error amongst other things. I recall my own son saying that while going through a game he had to choose a character to trust and because of his own biases he chose the female over the male. Through this experience, he learned how to think a little differently with respect to his own biases.

A New Form of Socializing

Person to person socialization will always be best but for many reasons, that type of interaction may not be accessible. Video games are actually a lot more social than you may think. Most kids would rather play with each other rather than alone. Video games of today usually need online access which grants them the ability to not only play with existing friends but meet people all over the world. 

Video games are good for socializing on rainy days, snow days, or even when it is unbearably hot outside. In the light of this global pandemic, we are facing video games are a pivotal part of outside socialization. With the world on an indefinite quarantine, video games have actually kept friends bonded and entertained. 

Peaks Interest in Geography and World Cultures

Many of the games out right now have some sort of cultural aspect to them. Games like Civilization, Age of Empires, and Age of Mythology peak children’s interest in things like geography, international relations, and ancient history. When done strategically you can actually extend their study as a parent.

Watch the game yourself and understand the storyline and see how you can contribute higher learning through conversation or trips to the library. Make it a movie night and expand upon some of the concepts and themes in the game. I think the key here is to make sure you stay engaged as a parent.

Learn How to Compete In an Online Format

There is nothing like a friendly competition amongst friends. One of the main reasons children, especially boys play video games is to win. Competition at different levels is necessary and builds character. When you can play an intense sports game online and walk away friends you know you have succeeded. 

Life is about learning how to win and lose well in different scenarios and settings. Video games help to challenge your child and develop coping skills when they lose and also how to win gracefully. Great conversations can come from the observations you make while observing your child playing video games.

Encourages New Activities and Exercise

If your child enjoys playing a lot of sports games or things like boxing and UFC games then you have probably heard them talk about trying out their new moves. Maybe they go outside and try to dunk like their favorite player. In this way video games help to encourage physical activity and exercise. 

Sometimes these video games introduce sports or activities they would have never thought about playing. Golf is definitely a sport that many do not think about but by playing it on a video game it piques the interest of the player. Adults can actually use this as a tool to encourage family time participating in some fun new activities. 

Spark Innovation 

Games like Minecraft encourage the imagination to grow which then produces an immense amount of creativity. When you compare other screen time activities like watching a movie or scrolling social media, games like these have them beat hands down. The basic idea in games like these is to build and create and the sky is the limit. 

The imagination is very much like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes. In my own personal experience, I have watched my son advance his building skills playing Minecraft. There are also other aspects to games like this as well that include the upkeep of farm animals and entire communities.

Work On Leadership Skills 

Many interactive games have leadership roles your child can play. When you are playing with your friends it is a lot more difficult than when you are playing by yourself. They will have to learn how to lead well, otherwise, their friends will ultimately revolt and stop playing with them. Well, maybe it won’t get to that point but they definitely will not be happy with their leader. 

Playing these roles allows them to learn what works well as a leader and what does not. When you are leading a couple of soldiers through the trenches and you make a poor choice that costs a “life” they won’t be so inclined to follow. Hopefully, your child notices how his or her good decisions affect their team in a productive way and carries the same behavior over in real life.

Every Video Game Is a Teaching Opportunity

Not only are video games a teaching opportunity between parent and child but they are a great opportunity for peer to peer teaching. If you watch your children and their friends long enough you will start to understand this dynamic. Watch as one child teaches the other and explains the ins and outs of the games. 

This helps to build communication skills, patience, and many other skills required to interact with others. 

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