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How Young Is Too Young to Start Gaming?

Posted by: Kendra Gemma

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Children ages 2 to 5 are more likely to be able to play a video game than swim or tie their shoes, if you believe a recent poll of Internet-enabled mothers. The poll questioned 2,200 women internationally. A whopping 58 percent of their offspring can play a video game, 59 percent if you look at girls alone. That’s compared to just 9 percent (of both genders) who can tie their shoes and 43 percent who can ride a bicycle.

child on computer

In another new statistical analysis of video games, almost 10 percent of children are at risk for a gaming addiction, according to a study that looked at gaming habits of 3,000 Singaporean schoolchildren ages 8 and 9 and 12 and 13. Researchers defined study participants who spent an average of 31-plus hours per week playing as "obsessive" and more apt to become seriously mentally ill. Pediatrics journal published this study.

The combined information in these two completely separate study yields thought-provoking questions about video games and their potential long-term effects on today’s youth.

Are parents contributing to this potential addiction by exposing their kids to computers, smartphones and games before reading age? Or will such early computer gaming become a life skill in itself? Only time will tell the final results, but we want to hear your opinion.

Category: Game Industry News

Tags video games Pediatrics journal video game addiction GameStreamer blog statistics children and video games

Comments 1

Crystal-Jade Vaughan 21 Jan
I started playing video games at 4, and now I work in the games industry as an artist. My first game was Street Fighter on the SNES. My sister got me into games, she loved Sonic and Mario on SNES and MegaDrive. Playing at such an early age gave me independence and a feeling of triumph when they were completed. Amongst peers a little later on, it was seen as skillful and positively competitive to be able to play such games, and to be able to communicate effectively about the subject. Therefore it helped bring young consumers such as myself together. It was definitely not a waste of time as it helped improve coordination, problem solving and my first insights into storytelling and narrative. It also encourages creativity, where games allow you to customize characters, make your own decisions and become someone cool and awesome for just a minute. As a kid, that is brilliant.

Of course there are effects. Attempting to play for extended periods of time can be an obvious problem, and create anti-social behavior in the real world. However, it is possible to connect and partake in interaction with game players all over the world instantly, people that you may have more in common with- then say the punk kid next door that steals your lunch each day.

In today's modern society where internet and social media rules, it is important to get an early start. Most jobs today require computer skills, and companies reach out through social networks to communicate more then ever. Games are ever changing, ever evolving. The games we let our children play now are far from the 80's classics I was introduced to. Games are designed specifically with various intentions for a specific market in mind. There are games that are purely educational; DS 'Brain Training', games that aid in wellbeing Wii 'Fitness', and games that are just awesome (Halo, Call Of Duty, Unchartered, etc!!)

Games are harmless, if not a wonderful way for children to explore new universes, make new friends (online/mmorpg etc), and develop new ways of thinking. Entertainment has never been so good. The problem is the parent- buy your kids suitable games. There are numerous useful things to look for, the recommended age range, the game design cover, the blurb on the back, game reviews and usually, what platform the game is on. Lastly, if you set time allowances and guidelines of paying in moderation - the world's your oyster. GAME ON.