Gaming Consoles – the pros and cons of letting your children play.

Playing along with Kate says stuff.

Today i am very Thankful for this Guest post, and Gaming devices.

Generally mums fall into two categories:

               1. I let my children play video games

               2. I don’t allow my children to play video games

While it can be a divisive topic, there are strengths to each argument. So if your lil’uns are making murmurs about wanting a gaming console this Christmas, here are both sides of the argument to help you make an informed decision!

Why gaming can be good for children

Educational – Not all video games are competition or fighting based. Many video games are educational, and video games that focus on teaching your children things such as basic maths, colours, parts of the body and other basic information supports their learning as they grow.

Helps with their development – Video games can also support and foster a child’s cognitive development by building up their problem solving, perceptual, and motor skills. Often video games present complex scenarios that the players must solve and overcome and often this requires a child to develop a strategy and use quick thinking. Video games can give your child’s brain a real work out.

Team work – A number of video games are played in teams, which gives your child exposure and experience with teamwork – a valuable skill throughout their schooling years. 

Great entertainment source – Everything is good in moderation, and video games can be a great source of entertainment for your kiddies, particularly on a rainy day. If you’re concerned about your child playing video games too much, simply put a limit on the amount of time they can play each day or allow them to play as a treat.  

Why gaming can be bad for children

Social isolation – The more time your child spends playing video games, the less time they will spend reading, playing sport, interacting with friends and family or doing their homework. This has the potential to lead to social isolation.

Violence – Video games are most commonly lamented for the violence they contain, particularly because in most war or fighting video games children are rewarded for being violent. A major concern for many parents is that violent video games can encourage aggressive behaviour in their children.

Addictive – Another concern for many parents is that gaming can become addictive for some children. Once gaming reaches an addictive stage, it can have negative consequences on other areas of their lives such as schooling.

Bad for health – There is the argument that video gaming is an indoor and sedentary activity, which can have implications for your child’s help – including obesity and muscular and posture disorders.

If you’re not sure whether you want your child to play video games, it can be a good idea to rent a gaming console to trial how it fits in with your children and your family’s lifestyle. Equipment rental is a smart and affordable way to ‘try’ rather than ‘buy’!

If you’re considering whether a gaming console is the right thing for your children – or the right gift this Christmas – consider the pros and cons listed above!

Do your children have a gaming console?

How do you moderate its use? 


I must admit i fall in to categorie 1. My kids most favourite thing to do is to play video games.