Scary video games and child development

Video games-good or bad

New age issues and children protection- how to save our kids

     Observing so many kids growing up, I'm dealing with everything they go through- their likes, their wants, their relations, their way of communicating, their games, their dreams. I'm now faced with numerous cases of kids experiencing symptoms because of video games. The natural instinct and interest of "the dark side" awakens the interest of scary games, movies and stories. Maybe many of us have gone through a period like this. However, the times we live in have passed the naive side of scary. I'm currently working with cases of kids developing intense anxiety and fear, because they play scary games on their smart phones. Playing some video games, kids display symptoms such as fear when going to bed and turning off the lights, refusal to be left alone in a room, drastic behavioral changes, irritability, restlessness and generalized fears.

When little kids have smart phones and full access to the internet, not only do they have access to all data on the internet- this includes prohibited content containing  aggression, violence, sex, ill-intentioned people and dangerous ideas that kids can't comprehend at their developmental level- and all these just a click away. As young as 7 years old kids download games only by clicking "Yes" when asked if they're 18!

If you're a parent I strongly recommend you check your child's phone and see what is installed in it. It's highly important to limit your child's access to internet content. Some parents complain that there is intense peer pressure- when everybody has it/does it, a kid can't be different from the others, not to feel inferior.
I highly recommend you to speak with the other parents in your community and discuss the topic as from the real practice it turns out that there is a considerable amount of cases of unwanted consequences of violent and scary video games. Too much playing of video games reduce the children's ability to concentrate and learn. They reduce the sense of sympathy and develop preference towards virtual games rather than real life communication thus reduce the ability to communicate well and adapt in the environment. Although it sounds intuitive and very logical in theory, appears that in practice it is not easy to apply restrictions. Too much video games lead to introversion, attention deficits, often lower grades at school, lower self esteem and obesity.

Controlling the amount of time that kids spend on video games can be done through limiting the devices that they have access to, and also through engaging them in sports, interests clubs and activities that develop that social interaction skills, keep them in good physical condition, develop their imagination and creativity, art skills and knowledge of the world :) In addition, providing kids with info is also essential- for the times that they'll be out of your side. Take the time and prevent the symptoms today!

Hope this was helpful! Love all kids!

Geri