Encourage Good Use of Video Games at Home

Playing is a natural and spontaneous act that helps us explore, investigate and get to know the world we live in. In recent years, with new technologies, a new way of playing has appeared.

Video games, used correctly, are a good tool for free time since there are several video games that:

• Stimulate and encourage physical activity
• Convey values
• Develop skills, boost self-esteem, and help express feelings and emotions
• Allow sharing games with other people

Types of video games

• Action: stimulates attention, temporal and spatial organization
• Adventure: enhances observation, creativity, memory and imagination
• Sports: stimulates precision and spatial-temporal organization
• Strategy: fosters strategic reasoning ability, flexibility and concentration
• Simulation: stimulates logical reasoning, concentration and reflection

Tips for choosing video games intended for children

• Choose video games that convey positive values and avoid those that convey violence
• It is important to know our children's tastes and interests so we can help them choose games and also encourage dialogue with them
• Choose games appropriate for their age
• Choose video games and their content through labeling and on specialized websites

What is the best place to play?

Important to choose a suitable place for playing:

• Setting up the computer in a common area of the house encourages shared play, while also allowing us to learn about their tastes and take an interest in the activities they do,
• Try not to use video games during times of togetherness: parties, trips...since these are moments of social connection
• Take an interest in the places where our children go to play with their friends.

When is it best to play?

• It is important not to spend hours and hours playing, which is why we must make them aware of the time they spend playing.
• Agree on a limited play time, a long play time means not exploring other leisure options
• Keep in mind the necessary hours of rest
• It is often necessary to establish rules and time limits, and thus avoid the sedentary lifestyle it entails

Guidance:

• Take an interest in what they do and browse together so we can resolve their doubts and foster togetherness.
• Know where our children browse and make sure they understand the importance of not giving out any personal data.
• Help children choose appropriate games.
• Watch out when playing becomes obsessive, and therefore, set a time limit for playing.
• Get informed about access filters for certain content.
• Alternate play time with other social activities.

As adults, we must set guidelines and limits but try not to forbid, since forbidding does not foster dialogue and communication among family members, but is rather an imposed action; let us foster agreements and dialogue.

Participate actively in what our children do, always with respect and dialogue.