There are many video games available for children these days, and many of them are bordering on violence. Most video games will involve shooting, fighting, fast cars, and other violent scenarios.
A violent video game will usually end with the player destroying, damaging, or killing to win. It can cause concern for parents when their children start playing these games for extended periods or manifesting violent behavior in school or public places.
Most times, you may not know that a game is violent before you buy it, especially when your child is insisting on getting that game. One thing you should do before you purchase a game is to know what other people are saying about it. A quick look at reviews and feedback on ReviewsBird.com can tell you all you need to know about a video game before making the purchase.
Video games are sometimes expensive, so before spending a fortune on a game, you need to do a little research on it. If you are sure that the game is violent, here are some things you need to know before you go ahead and make that big purchase.
1. Will Your Child Start Showing Aggressive Behavior?
Children are known to replicate what they see. So, it is possible to see some signs of aggression from your kids after they just finished playing a violent video game. Some may try to practice what they have seen on the screen with friends and family, take time out as a parent to educate them that what is on the screen is different from reality and shouldn’t be replicated on others.
2. Are There Long-Term Effects?
Parents also worry about the long term effects continuously playing video games will have on their children. If one constantly sees a particular thing, memorizing it is inevitable in the long run. After playing video games for a long time, the children might begin to expect the world to be violent at every turn.
3. What Signs Should You Watch Out for?
If your child is becoming overly aggressive or having trouble with other kids, teachers, and authority figures, it might mean that the video games might have been getting to get to them. If their first reaction to every problem is to hit or fight, it might be time to have a talk with them explaining the difference between video games and reality. It is easier to spot this behavior in younger children and stop it before they become teenagers.
4. What is The Best Way to Handle Your Child if They Become Violent?
The first step you should take is to talk with them. Explaining the dangers of their actions and talking about the better path to follow. Then reduce the amount of time they spend in front of their screens and if that doesn’t work, you can take out the video games altogether.
Playing video games is not entirely bad, they can be educative and used as a great teaching tool. If you are scared that the games your children play might be harming them, you can decide to change the games or reduce screen times altogether.