Your Parenting Mojo - Respectful, research-based parenting ideas to help kids thrive

217: How to end the video game struggles

Jul 22, 2024

In this episode, @TheGamerEducator Ash Brandin and parent Nicole discuss struggles parents face with kids playing video games, including dysregulation, managing screen time, intrinsic motivation, using screens for breaks, and modeling appropriate screen time behavior. They also touch on the impact of violent games, promoting emotional regulation, and balancing leisure with other activities to foster intrinsic motivation.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Understanding the impact of video games on children's behavior through research findings

03:02 • 4min

Exploring Research Challenges in Assessing Video Game Impacts on Children

07:05 • 4min

Navigating the Impact of Violent Video Games on Children

11:27 • 28min

Navigating Screen Time Limits and Self-Regulation for Children

39:50 • 22min

Understanding motivation and modeling healthy screen time behavior

01:01:22 • 5min

Parental Engagement and Screen Use

01:06:45 • 5min

Why Video Games Aren't as Harmful as You Think for Kids

Video games can be tough. Our kids enjoy them so much…but can’t tear their eyes away from them when time’s up without a meltdown. Some games, like Fortnite and Roblox, can be really violent, and aren’t our kids learning bad messages when they play? Plus even if they aren’t playing something violent, they aren’t really learning anything beneficial, right? In this episode with @TheGamerEducator Ash Brandin and co-interviewer parent Nicole, we talk about common struggles parents have with kids who are playing games, including:

How to address dysregulation at the end of screen time
How to ‘scaffold’ the child’s ability to manage their own screen time
The links between screen time and intrinsic motivation
Why we can feel OK using screen time to give ourselves a break
How to model appropriate screen time use in front of our children

If summer is rolling on by and you’ve seen your kids do a lot of playing (whether that’s video games or not) and not a lot of activities that look like learning, I’d love to see you in the Learning Membership. The Learning Membership is here to help you. Make learning a fun adventure that not only strengthens your bond, but also nurtures your child’s intrinsic love of learning—an essential foundation for success in an AI-driven world. Get tools and strategies to support your child’s love of learning and future-proof their success in navigating whatever comes their way. No special skills needed—just a willingness to explore alongside them. Enrollment will open again soon. All the usual stuff applies - sliding scale pricing, money back guarantee. Click the banner to learn more!

Jump to Highlights

01:50 Introducing the topic and guests for this episode 03:17 Moderate video game use generally has neutral or positive effects, contrary to earlier studies linking it to aggression. 07:02 Many studies linking video games to aggression overlook confounding factors like socioeconomic status, trauma, and family dynamics. 10:27 Research on violent video games shows mixed results, with any negative effects often being minor and context-specific. It's important to consider individual responses when assessing impact. 27:47 Effective screen time management involves setting limits, encouraging self-regulation, and gradually shifting responsibility to children while providing support. 42:33 Balancing gaming limits requires adjusting based on family needs and the child's ability to self-regulate, with ongoing assessment and adjustment. 47:12Guilt about screen time often stems from concerns about not using time productively. It’s important to recognize that screens can benefit the whole family, allowing parents to manage tasks and take necessary breaks. 54:24Gaming meets psychological needs like competence and autonomy, which doesn’t diminish intrinsic motivation for other activities. 01:01:48Model balanced screen use by explaining your tech use and setting clear limits. Show how screens help with tasks and emotions, and involve your kids in transitions. 01:08:51Wrapping up the discussion

References

Boxer, P., Groves, C.L., & Docherty, M. (2015). Video games do indeed influence children and adolescents’ aggression, prosocial behavior, and academic performance: A clearer reading of Ferguson (2015). Perspectives on Psychological Science 10(5), 671-673.

Ferguson, C.J. (2008). The school shooting/violent video game link: Causal relationship or moral panic? Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling 5, 25-37.

Ferguson, C.J. (2015). Do angry birds make for angry children? A meta-analysis of video game influences on children’s and adolescents’ aggression, mental health, prosocial behavior, and academic performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science 10(5), 646-666.

Ferguson, C.J., & Kilburn, J. (2010). Much ado about nothing: The misestimation and overinterpretation of violent video game effects in eastern and western nations: Comment on Anderson et al. (2010). Psychological Bulletin 136(2), 174-178.

He, F., Qi, Y., Zhou, Y., Cao, A., Yue, X., Fang, S., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Meta-analysis of the efficacy of digital therapies in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry 14, 1054831.

Johannes, N., Vuorre, M., & Przybylski, A.K. (2021). Video game play is positively correlated with well-being. Royal Society Open Science 8, 202049.

Kollins, S.H., Childress, A., Heusser, A.C., & Lutz, J. (2021). Effectiveness of a digital therapeutic as adjunct to treatment with medication in pediatric ADHD. NPJ Digital Medicine 4(1), 58.

Prensky, M. (2006). Don’t bother me, Mom – I’m learning!. St. Paul, MN: Paragon House.

Zendle, D., Flick, C., Gordon-Petrovskaya, E., Ballou, N., Ziao, L.Y., & Drachen, A. (2023). No evidence that Chinese playtime mandates reduced heavy gaming in one segment of the video games industry. Nature Human Behavior 7, 1753-1766.