By Beth Goldstein
Moderating screen time for youth has never been more difficult. Television, streaming services, and video games are a huge draw for children. But video games, or gaming, has benefits beyond television and streaming services. Gaming is an interactive activity. Children can play against friends and interact with other youth which is especially needed during these times of social distancing. Games can also include problem solving and learning opportunities.
There are many resources available to parents with questions about gaming including our upcoming Gifted Support Group on February 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM PST. This Gifted Support Group will feature Susanna Pollack from Games for Change. In this presentation, Ms. Pollack will provide insights on how games have a power beyond entertainment that can be used for social good.
Whether through using games as a platform for learning, building awareness around important social issues, or building 21st Century Skills, young people can engage with pro-social activities while enjoying a medium that “meets them where they are. With a commitment to learning and education, Ms. Pollack also developed a portfolio of programs that advance the use of games and immersive media in learning. She launched the G4C Student Challenge with the NYC Department of Education in 2015, which is now a national program that reaches 10,000 students annually.
Additional resources online include:
- Finding Balance with Video Games, National Association for Gifted Children
- Healthy Limits on Video Games, Child Mind Institute
- Video Game Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds, American Psychological Association
