Studies Show Children's Emotions Become Aggressive Due To Playing Video Games

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JAKARTA - Playing video games can actually help children's development, but it turns out that it makes parents feel worried because of the dangers posed by this habit.

According to research by security firm Kaspersky, four in 10 parents from Southeast Asia (SEA) believe that their children have become angrier than usual after playing games.

In a survey conducted by Kaspersky, 760 respondents confirmed that children spent more time online during the COVID-19 pandemic. As many as 63 percent of parents surveyed agreed, while only 20 percent disputed this observation.

“The generation gap often leads to miscommunication and this scenario is common when a child knows more online trends and tricks than the mother or father. This period of lockdown highlights this with increasing dependence on the internet and how parents now need to manage both work time and parenting at the same time in their homes, ”said Kaspersky Managing Director Stephan Neumeier.

Neumeier understands that if parents have concerns about their children's online habits, the parents' fear of video games is sometimes quite objective and sometimes a little exaggerated.

"There are some undeniable dangers, but a number of studies have also found how playing online games can benefit children. Basically everything will have benefits as long as moderation and guidance are applied," he added.

Not playing games is not the right decision for a child, whose friends are doing the same. The child will definitely feel like being treated unfairly. Besides, gaming is a new art, which can be very useful especially if the parents can direct it well.

According to Neumeier, banning is not an option. Parents should not prohibit their child's activity from playing video games, but effectively control them, use special software and device settings, and communicate with children in explaining the rules.

Meanwhile, Neumeier reports, it was found that many parents worry that if their child often spends time playing, their eyesight can be damaged. Others worry that sitting at the computer for too long or leaning over a smartphone could negatively impact a child's posture.

"Relax, parents can install monitors that can help alleviate vision problems. Not a few nowadays modern screen manufacturers are trying to find solutions to minimize the damage caused by monitors to the human eye," said Neumeier.

Parents can also provide a table with the right height, comfortable posture and a distance away from the monitor to help the child's vision and posture. And limit his playing hours.

"On the other hand, parents can have regular eye examinations with the doctor. If the child is not seen by a doctor, set reasonable limits based on the child's age. Software level restrictions can be set with the help of online security programs, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids or internal device settings, such as decoders and iOS-based mobile devices, "explained Neumeier.

Children Can Be Aggressive

Not a few were found if parents stated that their child became aggressive since playing games, so that they gave up on panic and forbade them from playing video games.

The truth is, a child's aggressive behavior is not driven by the video game they are playing, but there is a wider reason. For example, parents do not show video games to children at all, but they compete in kung fu with their friends, shoot at unseen enemies with bows, pistols, grenade launchers or explosives.

Preferably, if the child shows aggression, parents should use the age rating (rating) in the video game. To prevent your child from playing games that are not appropriate for their age, use software to limit the ability to launch any games or content based on age ratings.

"The most important thing is to always remember that whenever trying to limit children's access to games, parents first need to talk to them and explain why it is important to do so," said Neumeier.