🎮 Between Fun and Risk: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Video Games

Video games have become part of our children’s daily lives. But between the joy of play and hours of entertainment, there may lie psychological and behavioral effects that call for parents’ attention. Here, we offer you tools to understand this world and help you and your children use it safely and in a balanced way—for their mental well-being. Potential Benefits & Possible Risks ✅ Potential Benefits: • Enhancing thinking and planning skills • Encouraging teamwork in multiplayer games • Developing language skills, especially in educational games • Improving reaction time and attention span Balance and supervision make all the difference Not every game is harmful. Not all game time is wasted. ⚠️ Possible Risks: • Addiction and lack of sleep • Social isolation and weak family interaction • Increased anxiety or violent behavior in some games • Exposure to inappropriate content • Unsafe online challenges or conversations with strangers Steps & Tools to Make Gaming Truly Beneficial • Stay close and observe  your child—some games contain content unsuitable for their age. • Play with them  to understand their real experience. • Set clear rules  before buying or allowing access. • Offer motivating alternatives. • Focus more on  emotional connection  than just digital monitoring. How Can I Help My Child Choose the Right Game? • Talk to your child: “What do you enjoy about this game?” • Don’t rely solely on the game’s popularity or your child’s request. • Check game content  through rating systems like  PEGI  and  ESRB . • Watch gameplay videos  and try the game yourself to understand how it feels.Every game carries a message... Choose the message you want to reach your child. How Do I Connect With My Child and Join Their Digital World? 1. Be their digital role model: • Limit your own screen time in front of them. • Dedicate device-free quality time every day. 2. Talk with them—not about them: • Ask:  “What game do you enjoy?” instead of  “Why do you play so much?” • Join them occasionally to experience their world. 3. Set clear and flexible rules: • For example:  “One hour of gaming after homework.” • Set a device-off time before bed. 4. Observe behavioral changes: • Is your child becoming irritable or withdrawn? • Do they constantly resist stopping the game? 5. Use parental control tools: • Enable settings on devices like  iPad  or  PlayStation . • Use apps like  Google Family Link . Don’t ban your child from gaming... Instead, share their choices, open a thoughtful dialogue, and be the person they turn to when something feels off. Video games are a chance to understand your child—in their own language— and to build real bridges of connection in their digital world. At LAG, we believe: Understanding comes before restriction.Closeness is more powerful than control. Get closer. Start the conversation. Build trust. Your child isn't playing to challenge you— They