According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project nationwide survey ninety-seven percent of youth respondents regularly play video games. The survey sampled 1102 young people aged 12 to 17. The survey also indicated that the youth play a diverse variety of games, but play them quite often (Irvine, 2008).
Benefits of Video Games (mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Assist in providing social topics
- Help skill development in math, reading, collaboration and problem solving
- Encourage comfortability with technology
- Empathy building through multiplayer games
- Opportunity for entertainment and socialization
Choosing Games for Your Kids (mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Consider personal interests
- Discuss with other parents
- Check reviews online
- Ensure games meet appropriate rating
- Challenging without excessive violence
- Problem solving and strategic
- Look for multi-player games
Managing Game Playing at Home(mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Play games with your children
- Play all games immediately after purchase
- Buy games that the entire household could enjoy
- Define inappropriate content early on
- Engage kids in critical thinking about gameplay
- Control time devoted to video games
- Place consoles and computers in common areas
- Introduce kids to genres of other media associated with their interests in video games
The ten most popular games of 2013
1. Grand Theft Auto V
2. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
3. Pokémon X & Y
4. Gone Home
5. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
6. The Last of Us
7. Pikmin 3
8. BioShock Infinite
9. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
10. Skylanders: Swap Force
(Techland Staff, 2013)
Benefits of Video Games (mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Assist in providing social topics
- Help skill development in math, reading, collaboration and problem solving
- Encourage comfortability with technology
- Empathy building through multiplayer games
- Opportunity for entertainment and socialization
Choosing Games for Your Kids (mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Consider personal interests
- Discuss with other parents
- Check reviews online
- Ensure games meet appropriate rating
- Challenging without excessive violence
- Problem solving and strategic
- Look for multi-player games
Managing Game Playing at Home(mediasmarts.ca, 2014)
- Play games with your children
- Play all games immediately after purchase
- Buy games that the entire household could enjoy
- Define inappropriate content early on
- Engage kids in critical thinking about gameplay
- Control time devoted to video games
- Place consoles and computers in common areas
- Introduce kids to genres of other media associated with their interests in video games
The ten most popular games of 2013
1. Grand Theft Auto V
2. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
3. Pokémon X & Y
4. Gone Home
5. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
6. The Last of Us
7. Pikmin 3
8. BioShock Infinite
9. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
10. Skylanders: Swap Force
(Techland Staff, 2013)
An Interesting TED talk on the effect of video games on the human brain:
References
Sandstrom, H. (2010). The Pros and Cons of Playing Computer Video games. Retrieved from http://www.readersdigest.com.au/the-pros-and-cons-of-playing-computer-games
Irvine, M. (2008). Survey: Nearly every American kid plays video games. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=5817835
http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/tipsheet/VideoGameTipSheet_Final_EN.pdf
Techland Staff. (2013). Top 10 Video Games. Retrieved from http://techland.time.com/2013/12/04/technology/slide/top-10-video-games/
Sandstrom, H. (2010). The Pros and Cons of Playing Computer Video games. Retrieved from http://www.readersdigest.com.au/the-pros-and-cons-of-playing-computer-games
Irvine, M. (2008). Survey: Nearly every American kid plays video games. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=5817835
http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/tipsheet/VideoGameTipSheet_Final_EN.pdf
Techland Staff. (2013). Top 10 Video Games. Retrieved from http://techland.time.com/2013/12/04/technology/slide/top-10-video-games/