Gaming is good for kids, but there are limits: expert

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s a common refrain from parents — to tell their children to put down that controller and get outside to play!

However, the latest research suggests a little time spent gaming isn’t bad for kids. In fact, it may actually have some benefits. “Researchers in Spain looked at about 2,500 kids between the ages of seven and 11 and found that playing video games can actually be beneficial,” says Kim Shiffman, managing editor for Today’s Parent Magazine.

But there are limits. “Playing as little as one hour and up to nine hours per week showed some benefits like better motor skills and higher school achievement scores. When you go beyond nine hours in a week, we see some behavioural problems that pop up,” she tells NEWS 1130.

“The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends no more than two hours of screen time every day so, just like anything, it comes down to moderation and balance. The games can offer some benefits, but so can going outside, reading a book and interacting with peers.”

Shiffman says parents who need a little help enforcing limits can turn to technology themselves. “There are some apps that parents can use to limit their children’s gaming time,” she explains.

You can also use timers to take the decision away from the parents and allow a “third party” to alert the child that gaming time is over.

And if kids are really stuck on their games, Shiffman encourages parents to get actively involved in finding alternatives like sports or board games. “Sometimes kids really crave one-on-one attention and just need a suggestion for something equally as fun to do.”

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