With the technological age that has advanced alongside the younger generations, it has become clear that screens have not only allowed for playful activity, but has become vital in the functioning of almost any child’s daily life. Videogames have been viewed as an activity that is mostly for the use of boys, and has been associated to be the cause of violent and negative behaviour. On the contrary, videogames have been proven in multiple studies to provide the gamer with various benefits both in development, wellbeing and emotional regulation.
88% of children that are aged between 5-15 years make use of some device in order to play videogames, furthermore, studies have shown that they play on a regular basis, spending an average of 9 hours a week gaming. A moderate use in videogames has been proven to provide young people with the opportunity to relax or ‘let off steam’ as well as to create close friendships through common use and knowledge of a game. Videogames are currently being used in studies to aid people with regulating their emotions, which is a huge leap forward in helping children feel less like their emotions control their lives.
Studies conducted in Britain and Iran have provided evidence that children who play a moderate amount of videogames (between 3-4 hours a day) were associated with greater wellbeing as well as mental health than those who played videogames for less time, or none at all. Additionally, children who play videogames regularly are inclined to substantially lower incidences of substance abuse. This obviously doesn’t mean that children should be allowed to play as much videogames as they desire for as long as they want, but that there should be a balance between the enjoyment thereof and other activities.