Parents do not adequately supervise their children while they are playing games. This can lead to children being exposed to negative content and experiencing health problems.
In the modern world, video games have become an important part of children’s daily lives. However, many parents do not adequately monitor their children’s gaming habits. This can lead to children facing various risks. Parental involvement and supervision in the gaming process is of great importance for children to have a safe and healthy gaming experience.
Children’s Play Habits and the Role of Parents
You may ask, “Now where did this come from?” Yesterday, after Roblox was banned in Turkey, I wanted to touch on one of the most important issues we need to pay attention to in order to protect our future children, which is the supervision of games for families.
Not supervising children while playing can lead to them being exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age and experiencing physical and mental health problems due to prolonged screen time. Experts emphasize that parents should be more careful and conscious on this issue and warn that “Parents not supervising their children while playing can expose them to negative content, which can negatively affect their development.”
For this reason, I will list below the issues that every parent should pay attention to in order to protect the future of our family and raise healthier generations.
Age Appropriateness and Content Control
It is critical for children to play age-appropriate games for their healthy development. However, many parents do not sufficiently examine the games their children play and the content of these games. This can lead to children being exposed to violence, sexuality, or other inappropriate content. Parents need to be careful when choosing games and choose games that are age-appropriate.
No matter how you purchase the game, there is always an age warning. These warnings, known as ESRB Standards, indicate which age group the game is aimed at.
Controlling Play Time
Spending long periods of time in front of a screen can have negative effects on children’s physical and mental health. Eye strain, sleep problems, and lack of physical activity are just a few of them. Parents should limit their children’s play time and ensure they take regular breaks.
Social Interaction and Security
Children interact with different people through online games. This can be positive for the development of social skills, but it also brings risks such as cyberbullying or inappropriate behavior. Parents need to check who their children are playing with and whether these interactions are safe.
Education and Awareness Raising
It is important for parents to be aware of their children’s gaming habits and educate them on the subject. Talking to children about games, allowing them to share their experiences and helping them choose appropriate content contributes to the formation of a healthy gaming culture. Parents should explain to their children the risks they may encounter in the digital world and guide them on how to deal with these risks.