The Social Benefits of Kids’ Games

If you are buying a gift for your kids, computer games most likely top their wish list. But aren’t online kids games supposed to be violence-ridden mind candy that rot kids’ brains and turn them into asocial zombies?  At least, that’s what received wisdom says about computer games. And since parents tend to focus more on the potential dangers than the possible benefits of anything that affects their child, it is natural to ignore the fact that online kids’ games are a normal part of 21st century childhood. In fact, many parents automatically assume that computer games are bad for their child.

But the truth of the matter is, you – the parent – can actually use computer games as a powerful tool to help your child develop several crucial life skills. Over the last few years, researchers have been studying the emotional, mental and social effects of gaming and have come up with surprising results – computer games have a number of social benefits that largely go unnoticed in the deluge of media reports about the downsides of kids’ games.

Kids’ Games and Social Skills – Perception or Reality

Here are some of the social benefits associated with online kids’ games:

• Cooperation

According to statistics, about 62% of online gamers prefer to play with others. These findings run contrary to popular perception that online games promote asocial behavior among kids. In fact, research shows that an increasingly greater number of online kids’ games are designed to encourage kids to be more cooperative. Players are expected to develop leadership skills, delegate responsibility and work as part of a team. Even violent computer games reward players who control their aggressiveness, keep a cool head and cooperate with others.

• Increased social interaction

Players get hooked to kids’ games because of their rich storylines and the lure of mental challenges, but what makes gaming hugely popular is the opportunity to socialize with like-minded individuals. Many kids build casual as well as meaningful friendships with fellow gamers during the time they spend playing multiplayer games and through online game communities. Avid gamers say that chatting with competitors or partners as they play adds to their enjoyment of the game, lends a sense of camaraderie and prevents the game from becoming predictable and monotonous. Kids who partner up with a fellow gamer tend to experience greater satisfaction when they overcome a difficult challenge during game play.

• Staying connected

An oft-overlooked benefit of online kids’ games communities is that they offer players a chance to stay connected within existing real-world relationships as well. When your child’s friends or family members live miles away, staying connected can be challenging. But now, cousins or uncles and nephews or even grandparents and grandchildren can talk about the day as they battle it out over a fun online game.

And that’s how kids’ games have managed to redefine the social lives of players!