Parents and kids argue over video games, research finds
December 4, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
New research, that will hardly come as a surprise to either children or their parents, finds that arguments over when and for how long kids can play video games.
I seem to remember that was an issue when I was a kid, and computer games were really in their infancy then.
Disagreements were particularly prevalent amongst the 8-12 age group.
There’s also increasing concern over how many violent games are finding their way into the hands of youngsters.
“Over the past 10 years, parents, national retailers and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) had made substantial progress in keeping violent video games out of the hands of children,” said Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. “But, over time, complacency seems to have set in and we became too comfortable with the status quo while the industry keeps rapidly changing. That means everyone has to be more vigilant in understanding and enforcing the ratings.”
Computer games can help adults bond with their kids, casual gaming survey reveals
August 28, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
According to a recent worldwide casual gaming survey, 70% of family members have seen educational benefits of their children and grandchildren playing computer games, while a whopping 92% say that casual games provide an opportunity for them to bond with them.
PopCap Games commissioned the survey and found some other interesting statistics that suggest not all video games are bad, either educationally or in terms of isolating kids.
Casual games provided the following observed benefits: improved hand-eye coordination and mental dexterity (68%), improved learning, such as pattern recognition and spelling (60%), mental workouts/cognitive exercises (51%), strengthened memory (48%), stress relief and relaxation (44%), and confidence building/affirmation (37%).
