The reason why kids love video games might not come as a surprise to us. It is the chief source of entertainment that allows them to interact as a character in a world that they perceive to be of their own doing. The need to do something extraordinary plays out well with their creative side.
As a kid grows up and slowly understands his limitations, video games provide almost none of that. Limitations are present in video games but they don’t perceive this element. With a change of a cartridge or a disc, they can also change from a soldier to a warrior. Virtual role-playing has replaced the old school recess games of cops and robbers.
Most children can be found in a corner alone, playing against their gadget or in a noisy group of kids watching over two people battle it out using the sharing options of their video games. So it isn’t true that video games have rendered most kids as loners. Perhaps this allows them more time in a virtual world but it still depends on how a child is raised if he would become a loner or not. By means of video games, kids, amongst their present social circle, find friends. Someone who they otherwise wouldn’t talk to is now someone they can strike up a conversation with. And this allows them to share thoughts and strategies in the game, as well as in their young lives. A friendship could provide them with necessary socialization skills and it all came from a common interest.
To those children who are not allowed to play video games on a regular basis, the reason why these kids love video games is because it gives them a sense of achievement. Good grades in school lead to video games as rewards. A chance to play video games without restrictions, the fruit of their labors, allows them to focus on their schoolwork during the weekdays.
To move away from what makes them feel comfortable is one of the reasons why some introverted kids love video games. Certain decisions must be made by the kids while playing most RPG games. He can learn to apply this lesson, that he is what he decides to do or be, in real life.
Kids love video games because it allows them to visit places that they know, even in their young minds, would be far from their reach. The connection is both cultural and interpersonal, made possible by video games that are hooked online. Kids see them as potential allies and possible enemies so it makes the video game more exciting.
Kids might not know that these are the reasons why they love video games. Gaming elements and image quality are what they usually talk about. They would talk about the level of difficulty and brag that they are succeeding in the game. Video gamers have two choices in the end, to continue to play or to outgrow video games. So the next time you kid wants buy Fable 2, buy Clone Wars, or used Gears of War 2; maybe you should say yes.
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