As a parent, you may be wondering how much teenagers play video games or how much they should be playing. Maybe your kid is taking part too much and you want to make sure they are healthy in terms of satisfaction.
Or you are just an average teenager looking to find information regarding teens playing games.
Both will find this post quite useful
Video games are a well-known source of entertainment for teenagers, played on devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, or gaming consoles.
Most modern games feature an online component (Multiplayer)
regardless of the device used.
ESRB
ratings:
Every video game comes with a rating given by the ESRB
(Entertainment Software Rating Board). However, parents should check the details
of the game and watch as the teens play to understand the content.
Some teenagers broadcast their games via online services like YouTube and Twitch to public viewers.
Before giving your kids the go-ahead to live stream, it's advisable to first familiarize yourself with the associated risks and benefits regarding privacy and security.
With that said Let’s get back to the topic
How many hours does the average teenager play video games?
According to data on digitalwellnesslab show that 56% of teenagers within the age bracket of 13 to 17 years spend an average of 2.5 hours daily on video games.
It also shows that 66% of gamers aged between 8 to 12 years spend
approximately 2 hours daily playing video games. Boys spend more time on video
games than girls.
This clearly shows as late teens are spending more time on gaming than early ages.
Another research done by the University of
Michigan showed that teens play video games for at least 3 hours a day. The
poll also indicated that 20% of teen boys 40% of teen girls involved in the
research played video games every day.
The above
research results suggest that active teen gamers spend at least 2.5 to 3 hours
playing video games every day.
What is the driving factor for this much gaming?
Kids enjoy these games, but the motivation behind spending much
time on the screens varies depending on the teen.
Research indicates that gaming allows teens:
- To socialize online and in person.
- Forget their problems.
- Try unique personalities.
- Experience unique challenges.
Many teenagers play games with friends during home visits and
sleepovers. Some also play with online gamers they don't know.
Although teenagers have gaming partners they know in person and
use this opportunity to socialize and make new friends.
How many hours should a teenager play video game?
Although many teenagers play video games in moderation, some
become obsessed with the games.
A parent may become worried if teens neglect important tasks or
spend night hours gaming to an extent, they are too tired to wake up early for
school.
It is therefore essential to limit time spent on video games to a
healthy level.
As a teenager's parent, you should have the final say in
determining the proper limits to gaming. Adopting clear and consistent rules
related to gaming prevents excess play.
Although most parents have no set guidelines, there is a consensus
that gaming time should be limited to 30 min or 60 min daily on
school days and at most 2 hrs on non-school days.
How can I control gaming time for my teen?
Gaming should only occur after teens complete their tasks of the
day. These include house chores and homework.
- Parents should confirm the quality of work done before allowing the child to start playing. Remember playing video games isn't an inalienable right but an earned privilege.
- Regardless of the time limits, some days shouldn't involve gaming but instead focus on other non-screentime games like sports (cycling, basketball, etc).
- Follow a gaming plan for one or two months before reevaluating.
- If it's too restrictive, loosen it after a few months. Remember, it's easier to detach a strict schedule than tighten it.
- Offer gifts if your teens follow the schedule and participate in non-gaming activities.
- Please encourage them to play outside and enjoy the beauty with an ambiance of nature.
What are the harmful effects of long hours video game?
According to the World Health Organization, people with
a gaming disorder prioritizes gaming more than work and other necessary daily
activities. They also continue to play video games even with evident social and
health problems.
Below are some harmful effects of video gaming;
- Eye problems
Excess video gaming is associated with vision issues because of
staring at screens for long. A teen's iris, cornea, and pupil aren't strong
enough to withstand excess viewing of images from electronic devices.
Teens who indulge in video gaming over an extended period may experience dizziness, headaches, and, in extreme cases, vomiting and nausea.
- Musculoskeletal issues
Teens who are persistent gamers are highly likely to experience
pain in their hands, neck, wrists, and back. In a worse scenario, a teenager
may experience PlayStation thumb, characterized by a blister and numbness
caused by excess friction between the controller and thumb.
Further, video gaming is associated with tendon damage of wrists and hands caused by tendon overuse. Postural problems can also arise from excess gaming; however, ergonomic measures can eliminate this problem.
- Obesity
Most teens who spend hours on video games avoid engaging in
physical activities and therefore gain excess weight. Also, gamers who are
already overweight prefer less physically demanding tasks such as video gaming.
T
They don't get a chance to burn fat.
Since gaming replaces physical recreation, there is a link between
time spent on the screens and a rise in teenagers' body mass index. In a
nutshell, teenagers who spend more hours on their device's screen end up either
overweight or obese.
How to play games for long hours without negative effects?
Now let's look at some gaming solutions without giving up the
entertainment and enjoyment. The best thing you can do is get 3D gaming. There
is a lot of sports-related 3d games that require you to move while play, widely
available on the console.
This is a great way to get effective exercise and keep gaming at
the same time.
Some android games are available that need you to move your body
while you play like:
- Just Dance Now
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- Pokemon go
Focusing on one type of game over long hours can be tedious and
probably addictive. Luckily there are developers out there creating new types
of videos games that teenagers can enjoy.
Trying a new genre and
taking up new challenges ensures that gamers don't lose interest.
Taking a break and reengaging in non-gaming activities is also highly recommended.
