Will your children be glued to their consoles this summer when you’d rather they be outside?
How many times do you expect to be telling your children to get outside this summer?
It seems a common trait for parents -- with improved weather -- that we insist our children go out and enjoy the sunshine.
But what happens when they are already enjoying themselves inside, playing video games?
Negative influence
Computer games have been accused of many things. Encouraging children to be violent, reducing social interaction and making children less active and unhealthy.
The industry seems incredible well regulated to me, and as parents surely it is more our responsibility to decide whether and how to adopt these games into our kids’ lifestyles?
For me it is all about balance, choosing the right games for your children to play, monitoring the time playing and any influence any particular game is having.
Affecting social skills
I am fortunate that my child doesn’t really obsess over anything for too long, so I don’t really worry about the amount of time he spends with a console controller in his hands.
He is also very active and social with gaming. We have a Nintendo Wii which relies on movement for control, and it is rare that he will ever want to play any game on his own.
The enjoyment of playing a game together, the passive competition, solving problems together and helping each other improve are all positive and things we both enjoy.
I know fellow Ready for Ten contributor Dan Hughes enjoys the Lego series of games with his kids. The problem solving aspect and necessary team play is superb in all of those games.
Enjoying gaming together
At the launch of the Cars 2 video game it was interesting to hear how children’s social interactions had been considered in the evolution of the game.
It is designed to be 100% multiplayer, meaning that all sections of the game can be enjoyed by friends using the same console, rather than playing against artificial intelligence or faceless others via the internet.
Watching children play, interact, laugh, work as teams, or engaging in friendly compete against one another are all things I would encourage.
Admittedly when the sun is shining I like to see those things going on outside too, but don’t limit our outdoor activities to fair weather only.
The over-reliance on any particular form of entertainment or engagement can be a negative thing. Yet, chosen wisely, gaming can be a constructive experience for both children and parents.
What do you think?
Simon, who has two boys aged six and nine, has a novel approach to too much Xbox. "It' simple, football, bike and lock the door!" he told me.
And via Facebook Martha offered another guaranteed way of getting kids outdoors: "Best way to get kids outside is to buy a puppy. At least that's all I had to do."
Mum of four, Niki, told me that while control may be necessary in extremes, that it's good to trust your children to make the right choices. "I dont worry about or limit computer time for my kids because they need to learn to balance things themselves," she said.
If you want to read more:
Best of the web: Kids gaming
Expert post: The benefits of screen time
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Love Ian Newbold’s post? Read more 
6 Comments
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admin
15 June, 2011
Thanks for raising this very relevant topic. There seems to be such pressure from our children's peers to have the latest "this" and "that" and so far we almost managed to avoid getting sucked in. We did buy a Wii at Christmas time and actually enjoy playing it as a family, although if I'm honest we haven't touched it for about two months. I don't share Niki's opinion regarding children "self regulating" the amount of time they spend on computers/games etc, as I don't believe my four year old knows when he's had enough time on the computer - if I let him he would sit there all day :-)
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
dad
16 June, 2011
All things in moderation. Much like TV you can go two ways with computer games - you can just leave your kids to it or you can be an active part of their consumption of it.
Playing Lego Batman with my son has proven a fantastic bonding experience for us both. In addition it's taught him valuable lessons in perseverance and teamwork.
I wish he wouldn't always make me play Robin though.
dad
16 June, 2011
Hi Leigh, I think Niki meant her older children (her boys are 14 and 12). But interesting that you say your four-year-old would sit there all day, mine wouldn't have done anything for a whole day, not even eat ice cream and sweets non-stop, so I guess knowing your child's personality comes into it a lot.
I agree Dan. I love sitting with my son when we are watching something new on the TV, or a movie. He is all question, question, question, often leading to role play. Same with computer games. Used in the right way they stimulate progression.
mum
16 June, 2011
Great post. We have a rule that says no screens on during the holidays from lunch time til supper time. They whine about it at first, but quickly get the message and go and find something else to do. My older boys are 9 and 11.
admin
22 June, 2011
I love your rule Ellen - and thinking about it I think ours is an unwritten rule as I don't tend to switch the telly on during the day at all (unless they are ill, or some rainy Sunday afternoons). Luckily my three love gardening and all other outdoor activities and we have an array of swings, trampolines and slides in our back garden to keep them amused for hours. I do like the idea of playing a game with them but need to work out how to do it one on one with each of them, without starting WW3 :-)
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
10 July, 2011
I put a weekly timer (14hr) a week on my son (now 14) Xbox. But the other rule if for 2 hours on the Xbox, he has to take 1 hour off (and he cant' go to using his computer or PSP/port). Has to be something non Elec. (well i do let him use his Casio Keyboard to pratice).
Also No Xbox after 730p. (we have a no-electonic free time from 730p-8p). for reading, game playing, homework, Etc.
SingleDad to Son adopted from fostercare.