While video games make for good entertainment and they're potentially a fun hobby for the kids, there are some types of games that are too violent and emotionally dangerous to children's mental health.
Common Sense Media recently released a list of some of the most violent games for 2015. The organization said that many of these games are technically superior and flawlessly done, but because they contain violent themes, parents should be wary about allowing their children below 18-years-old to play with it. The Top 10 list include Battlefield: Hardline, Bloodborne, Dying Light, Hatred, Mad Max, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mortal Kombat X, Onechanbara Z2: Chaos, The Order: 1886 and Until Dawn.
According to a study done in Iowa State University, video games can indeed draw out aggression and violent behaviors from its players. Those who play violent games tend to have hostile personalities and the kids who are exposed to it tend to exhibit violent behaviors in school.
"A child who watches a lot of violent TV and plays violent video games is practicing looking at the world as a dangerous place where violence and aggression are an appropriate response, more than a child would who hasn't had that exposure," said psychologist Dr. Craig Anderson via Empowering Parents.
In light of this, what must parents do to make sure that their children can still enjoy playing video games, but without being exposed to violence? Below are some suggestions:
Monitor your kids' games. Take an active part in choosing what types of games your kids should be playing and be discerning about what to avoid, especially since it's the parents who buy these games for the kids.
Monitor your kids' playing time. Set rules on how long the kids are allowed to play, too, especially when there are school work and other activities that the kids should still keep focus. If you have both older and younger kids, schedule gaming times as well and instruct the older kids about keeping violent games away from their younger siblings.
Be open in discussing what your kids enjoy about the games. Understandably, parents cannot be supervising the children 24/7, but if they learn about what the kids are exposed to by encouraging discussion, it would provide parents a good teaching opportunity. Eventually, your kids will have to be exposed to gore, violence and nudity, especially if they play at other children's homes. Through constant discussion, a parent is teaching the child to self-police, thus, may not have to worry about violent video games influencing the child's perception.
