Do kids who are denied their freedom want to spend a lot of time on their devices?
Do they retreat into their games because, unlike the real world, they’re in control of these virtual ones?
Do kids use games as a safe refuge from a sometimes difficult real world?
Are devices and video games and the reason kids want to spend so much time in front of their screens more complicated than we first imagine?
Last year, during our almost-six-month lockdown, I retreated into my iPad. I played games for hours. They kept me from going crazy while I tried to deal with having my freedom taken away.
In between playing games, I watched YouTubers playing games. I marvelled at their thinking skills. It was a bit like watching people play chess. I learnt, I returned to my game, I progressed, and I played well.
By the time I’d completed my favourite game, Monster’s Expedition, I’d gained my certificate in advanced thinking skills.
During those intense video gaming days, I wondered if I’d always want to spend hours on my iPad in my virtual world. Was I addicted?
The lockdown finally ended and I was allowed back out into the real world. My mental health and happiness started to improve. And gradually, I let go of my games.
These days, I play a game every now and then. They don’t attract me as much as they used to. There are other things I now want to do.
In a couple of days, the calendar moves on. Winter will turn into spring. Already, there are lots of spring flowers blooming in the bush. Each day, while I’m walking the dogs, I watch out for the ones I photographed last lockdown spring. Have they appeared yet? They feel like my friends, the flowers who brought beauty into my life during a very dark time.
The bush where I could wander free, my video game virtual world and prayer: these were my safe places. They saved me from a situation that was out of my control.
Maybe there are times when games save kids too.
What do you think?
Something Extra
Last year, during our second lockdown, I wrote a story about my new gaming habit: What I Discovered When I Became a Video Gamer.
Not only did gaming save my mental health, it also gave me an insight into this often criticised passion. We think we know all about such things as gaming but never really understand them until we give them a go ourselves, do we?
Here’s how my story begins:
I’ve been playing a lot of video games recently. If I were a child, my parents might be worried about me. “Are you still playing that game? Isn’t it time you did something else? How about going outside and getting some exercise?”
I have been outside: I’ve spent a lot of time recently taking photos of our favourite places, looking for the beauty in our once again locked-down world. And I’ve been active, working out and walking our dogs, Nora and Quinn. But I’ve also been sitting still, playing games. Retreating into a gaming world has helped me cope with a difficult time.
I’ve always been pro-gaming. I’ve valued my kids’ gaming and never imposed time limits on them or said, “Get off the computer and do something else!” But I’ve never been a gamer myself. Until now. My present activity rather surprises me…
You could read the rest of What I Discovered When I Became a Video Gamer.
And why not stop by and share your experience of gaming. Do you play games? Do you share your kids’ passion for gaming? Perhaps you have a favourite video game?
To be honest, the amount of time my kids play on computers and tablets drives me crazy! I think it is because I worry that too much is not good for them. I do not, personally, play video games but I also worry that my time online is wasted time. I worry that computer time (for me and my kids) is not as good of an activity as reading a book or taking part in some other activity.
However, I also think my kids’ computer time has helped them learn so many cool things! Also, my second oldest is majoring in computer science and I think his computer time led him in that direction. Now that he is in college, he is very studious and only plays video games in his downtime. He has very easily transitioned from playing video games for hours per day as an older teen to only playing games when his schoolwork is finished. I actually believe that because he had so more unlimited time to be on his computer while at home, he is now interested and ready to take on new challenges. What I have witnessed is that teens who either had very little time to play video games (but wanted more) or who were not allowed to play video games for that much time as teens go a little crazy their first year of college doing just that and maybe not studying as much.
That is my perspective!
Gina,
Oh yes, it’s hard not to be concerned about the time our kids spend on their devices. I wonder if that’s because we think they’re missing out on other things. Or maybe we just don’t see the value of what they enjoy doing. But, as you said, kids learn loads of cool things on their computers. Maybe taking an interest in their interest helps us see that!
It’s wonderful when we see where computers can take our kids. Thank you so much for sharing your son’s story. You must be very proud of him! Although it was difficult, it sounds like you’re glad you didn’t limit his time on his devices.
And I’m glad you shared your perspective. Thank you!