Players need boundaries!

Many families are divided over computer games. While children are usually fascinated by this medium, many parents feel rather repelled by it. They often don't understand the games or their mechanisms, but feel that the strong pull on young players is negative. What attracts children and young people to gaming? What do they get out of computer games that they don't get from other games? Answers to the most important questions for parents:

What fascinates children about computer games?

Children can simply be anything in video games and are allowed to do things in them that they are not allowed to do in real life: Racing cars, travelling through space or creating a new world. The game world remains manageable with its fixed setting and closed set of rules, and the fact that the levels become increasingly difficult is another major attraction. Everything can be tried out at your leisure and, unlike in reality, failure in a game is not associated with far-reaching consequences. If necessary, everything starts all over again. And: computer games always have time, whereas parents and friends don't.

Can children learn anything from computer games?

This is similar to a free game or board game. Depending on the genre of the computer game, creativity and imagination are encouraged. Concentration, ambition and stamina can also increase. With each additional level, the players' skills increase and, of course, they also have to learn how to lose, according to the results of some studies. Whilst this is all true, these arguments should not be exaggerated. Children do not spend their time playing games because of the learning effect, but because they enjoy it. If the focus is on learning, there are special educational games or so-called serious games that have clear learning objectives. For example, the «Cloud Chaser» app from Zurich-based Blindflug Studios, which focuses on the topic of flight and drought.

Can computer games make you aggressive?

Every game makes you aggressive when you lose. This is already the case with the classic «Mensch ärgere dich nicht!» - and even more so with computer games. If you keep failing at the same point in a game, you lose all composure. Children and adolescents are known to have a particularly low frustration tolerance, especially during puberty. So far, however, opinions differ greatly as to whether violent games actually make people more violent. Such a claim is usually made after a shooting spree. Certainly no video game can be held solely responsible for such an act, but I do believe that violent games have an effect on children's minds. Just think of the first film that scared the living daylights out of you as a child. It's still unforgotten today, isn't it?

Can computer games be addictive?

For a long time, the games industry was able to play down this issue: many gamers were «excessive» with games, but this behaviour could not be equated with addiction, they said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) takes a different view and classified gaming disorder as a disease in 2018. Many parents think that the greatest risk of addiction lies with 12 to 16-year-olds. In reality, 20-year-olds are more likely to develop addictive behaviour because they have just left home and no longer experience parental control. However, there is no reason to sound the all-clear. Children and young people spend far more time playing games than is good for them. On the one hand, this is due to the great enthusiasm with which young people pursue a favourite activity. On the other hand, some can't find an ending because many games don't have a classic ending. Nevertheless, excessive or abusive use by children is not automatically an addiction, but - sorry - an educational problem.

Should I limit my child's playtime?

Time limits always make sense, because when playing with computers and consoles, all sense of time is lost. Similar to watching television. For pre-school children, fixed screen times of 20 to 30 minutes a day are advisable, for schoolchildren and teenagers 60 to 90 minutes. If they have used up this time with a game, they have to skip their favourite series. However, setting times alone is not enough. Parents must ensure that they are adhered to. So much for the plan. Unfortunately, this only works with computers and console games, as they are tied to fixed locations and therefore remain within sight. With smartphones, however, children can escape this control at any time.

What are the age recommendations for games good for?

In Switzerland, the age ratings come from the Pan European Game Information (PEGI), a self-declaration by the manufacturers. In neighbouring Germany, there are also age ratings from the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body USK. These are also often visible in Switzerland, as game manufacturers generally print their packaging for the entire German-speaking region. PEGI and USK are purely declarations of harmlessness in terms of the presence of violence, but should never be confused with an age recommendation. My tip: A trailer on the internet always provides a first impression. It is also helpful to search for reviews online.

Tips on games:

• Parents don't have to try out every game themselves, but they should take an interest in them. This is not just an interest in games, but in their children.
• Children would love to explain everything about games to their parents if they were more open to the subject.
• Parents should introduce fixed screen times. This applies to games, but also to television or streaming. Setting an alarm clock helps.
• Games are expensive. Not every game has to be bought. They can be borrowed from many public libraries.
• App games rarely have the game depth of console games. In-app purchases entice with extended game options. Young people should set themselves a purchase limit.
• Parents should pay attention to age specifications and, if necessary, look up the most important information about the game in question online.