WHEN a child plays video games, parents invariably worry that such games could harmful. In fact, a research conducted last May by global cybersecurity company Kaspersky showed that four in 10 parents from Southeast Asia (SEA) believe that their children are “more grumpy than usual” after a gaming session.
In the survey, titled “More Connected Than Ever Before: How We Build Our Digital Comfort Zones,” about 760 respondents from the region reported that kids are now spending more time online than before the pandemic. A total of 63 percent of parents surveyed by Kaspersky agreed with this observation.
To help parents navigate their kids’ gaming habits, Kaspersky shares each of the potential problems associated with video games and suggests solutions for the reference of moms and dads.
FEAR 1: HARM TO EYESIGHT AND POSTURE
MANY parents worry that if the child spends a lot of time playing, his eyesight may become compromised. Others worry that prolonged sitting in front of a computer or leaning over a smartphone can have a negative effect on a child’s posture.
Yes, this is a concern especially when the child is predisposed to gaming. Vision problems could arise and are a reason to organize a time for gaming more carefully. As for posture, it can also be threatened especially if the child does not play sports.
Installing a good monitor can help alleviate the problem with eyesight. Finding a comfortable position while playing and working on a computer is important. A good chair, a table of the right height, a comfortable posture and a good distance from the monitor will help your child’s vision and posture. A child’s play time should be regulated. It is important that restrictions are made with an agreement between you and your child.
It would be good to check with an ophthalmologist with regards to how much screen time is allowed. If the child has not seen by an eye doctor, set a reasonable limit based on the child’s age. Software level restrictions can be set with the help of online safety programs, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids or of internal device settings, such as set-top boxes and iOS-based mobile devices. The latest version of Kaspersky Total Security, which includes a Safe Kids feature, is available in the Philippines for PC and Mac units. A single-user license retails for P1,390 in Lazada and leading IT stores nationwide.
FEAR 2: VIRUSES ON YOUR COMPUTER
SOME parents fear malware their child might unwittingly install instead of the game being touted.
Recent research by Kaspersky shows that the activity of hackers using a popular game as a lure has increased significantly since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Criminals using such an approach in their attacks rely on the gullibility and ignorance of users.
First of all, it is necessary to explain to the child what a malware is, where you can download it, and what harm can it do. It is also worth taking the time to talk with your child about the bad side of piracy. Use an antivirus. This is useful not only if a child accidentally installs malware, but also in many other situations.
FEAR 3: AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR CAUSED BY VIOLENT GAMES
A CHILD’S aggressive behavior is not driven by the video games they play but by many other things. Even whe you keep your child free of video games, it is likely that he/she will still compete for kung fu with friends, shoot invisible enemies with toys.
At the same time, if you allow, say, a six-year-old kid to play horror games, then such scary, frightening, violent games can really adversely affect the child’s psyche, cause nightmares and other sleep disturbances, and bring about irrational fears. The same can be said about the effect of such games on older children who already have certain fears or tendencies. It should be remembered that there are different games for every age and every child. Use an age rating. Keep in mind that the age rating even suffers small deviations, if you do not enter the 16+ segment: if you are quite sure that a 12+ rated game is good, then why not install it for your 10-year-old son?
To prevent your child from launching games that are not suitable for their age (for example, those that you bought for yourself, or that he/she downloaded from the Internet), use software that limits the ability to launch games or any content based on age rating. The most important thing is to always remember that whenever you try to restrict your child’s access to games, you first need to talk to your son or daughter and explain why you are doing this.
In conclusion, do not prohibit your children from playing video games, but to keep your child safe, remember that the following six points will help you better control this area of children’s life:
- Communication
- Age rating
- Time limit
- Protection against malicious software
- Settings restricting in-app purchases
- Promote hobbies in the real world