Back to Basics 14 WebsiteCompass Parents can help their kids find the right games by keeping these tips in mind: • Read reviews from other parents. • For younger kids, stick to reputable sites like Nickelodeon and CBBC. The games there are appropriate for their developmental stage and, as a bonus, are also free. • Provide your child with a mix of different types of games, such as puzzles and shooters, so they can experiment with different skills. • Play games along with your child to connect with them and make sure they stay safe. Teens Children can continue to derive benefits from gaming in their teen years: • Manual dexterity. Gamers are faster and more accurate at performing tasks with their hands. • Increase in brain connectivity. Gaming has been referred to as a “fun workout for your mind” because it increases gray matter in the brain and improves memory, perception, and spatial navigation. • Social skills. Despite the stereotype of gamers as isolated individuals seeking to escape real life, gaming is often a team activity that enhances social skills and the ability to collaborate. • Physical activity. Yes, you read that right. Virtual reality (VR) games require players to engage with a virtual environment with their entire bodies, not just their hands. Parents can help their teens play games in healthy ways by keeping these tips in mind: • Establish boundaries, such as a limited number of hours per day they’re allowed to play or ratings they must avoid. • Encourage participation in other social and leisure activities to ensure gaming doesn’t take over their lives. • Play games with them to connect and learn about their interests. • Learn together about safety protocols for dealing with others in the gaming world. Adults Gaming is beneficial for adults as well. Here are some advantages for young adult and middle-aged gamers: • Stress reduction. Gaming can boost dopamine levels, leading to pleasurable feelings like surprise, happiness, and enjoyment. • Flow state. Becoming immersed in an activity to the point where you lose track of time is healthy, and doing so regularly can increase confidence and quality of life. • Better multi-tasking. Adults have a lot to manage—between work, family, friendships, community involvement, and hobbies. Playing games can help build multi-tasking skills to help. • Faster decision-making. All those responsibilities also create the need to make endless decisions, which is another skill games help to develop. If your last experience with playing a video game was Pac-Man in the 1980s, you may not know where to begin with today’s games. Not to worry! There are many games suitable for your
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTMzNDE=