I have a twelve year old son who like countless other twelve year olds has a passion for that current flavor-of-the day - FORNITE. Not a day goes by when the subject of this exact question stares me directly in the face. I am sure that I am not alone among parents, in wishing that games like this were not only banned, but did not exist in the first place. To say that such video games have an addictive quality when not managed properly would be putting it mildly. I have heard FORTNITE in particular being referred to as ‘crack’ for kids.
However in spite of this ‘inner want’ I do NOT believe, when all factors are considered, that these video games should be banned.
To insist that the some state wide regulatory body should step in and deny access to these games is wrongheaded and I believe will ultimately facilitate more harm than good. We don’t need a cadre of busybodies dictating to the rest of us how we should run our lives.
Parenting is ultimately the responsibility of the parent which I realize to some may come as a shock. So-called experts are free to offer advice and these ought to be looked at with a critical eye on a case-by-case basis, however it is the parent who is the ultimate gate keeper of home access to these games. Not the State.
If I am unhappy with my son’s usage of the game. The solution is simple. I tell him then he needs to finish off playing and I remind him that he has been on the console long enough. Homework takes precedence over gaming as does his daily chores, and his non-gaming extracurricular activities. That is the reality.
Now of course he will put up a fight (it is only natural). If he has a solid argument I may agree to his request but if he doesn’t and insists on playing hardball, the solution is simple. Off goes the console feed. No power = No gaming. State intervention is not required.
Yes it can be tough for one, or both parties, but parenting is much more than hitting softballs out of the park. This is one of those moments. The only regulatory body needed is the parent with moderation being the driver.
There is however another aspect to this question. Are the games intrinsically bad in and of themselves? The busybodies would argue that they are but I am not convinced this is the case. In fact there is some indication that the ‘danger’ angle has been greatly overstated.
It also depends on what you play. http://ttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/09/542215646/video-games-may-affect-the-brain-differently-depending-on-what-you-play
Looking deeper into several of these games it also seems evident that children may be learning much from the play that could be lost should the games be banned. Social Interaction, strategy, planning, 3-D visualization, situation assessment, material budgeting are just a few skills that several of these games emphasize and that indeed may resonate with the modern learner. They also make the acquisition of these skills fun.
Minecraft is particularity strong in stressing visualization skills that are useful in Engineering and Architecture Source: Minecraft-Mindcraft 1
In any event rather than jumping head with the ‘banning’ angle, which will no doubt stimulate an underground supply of these types of games (Prohibition 2.0…don’t underestimate the power of the market), a far better approach would be to offer parental assistance for managing video games.
A special focus, on helping the parent/child optimize game usage with a moderate context will likely be far more effective. There may indeed be a free market opportunity available here. Let us exercise it, before giving more undeserved power to the Nanny State when it is simply not up to the task.
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