Video games are natural teachers. Children find them highly motivating: by virtue of their interactive nature; children are actively engaged with them; they provide repeated practice; and they include rewards for skillful play. These facts make it likely that video games could have large effects, some of which are intended by game designers, and some of which may not be intended. (quote from here)In the United States:
Children aged 2-5 years old play just under 30 minutes of computer games a day. 210 minutes a week. 31/2 hours a week.
Children aged 5-18 play around 13 hours of computer games a week.
THIS IS ON TOP OF the rough figure of an average of 24 hours of TV a week.
I find it hard to even outline the impact this must be having on a generation of young people - their mental, emotional and physical development. And we must not allow our reflection to just be on the individual (though of course that matters enormously). Families and communities and nations must be being greatly affected by this. A good thing that the UK is so different to the US. A good thing that UK parents don't abdicate in this way.
A good thing that UK Christian parents are so distinctive in how they direct their children's viewing and gaming.
Don't you think?
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