Why should we control gameplay, especially for kids and teens? The reasons include, but are not limited to, addition, disorder, and ADHD. For the purpose of better parenting and family time, this blog will give you an overview guide on how to control your loved ones’ gameplay.
Why should parents control gameplay for kids?
Video games, since the 1970s, have rapidly developed and gained popularity for their unique interactive and entertaining approach. A globalized industry with a wide community of players around the world has been set up. Not only that, but video games have also led to a new competitive culture, e-sports, which attracts a large number of participants and spectators.
One coin has two sides. Parents’ concerns about their children’s playing of video games grow more than ever before. We have witnessed video games ruin many kids’ lives and let them become losers in their own lives. So, we must hit the pause button when it is time to prevent kids from going astray.
Reasonable gameplay habits
Developing good play behavior in children is crucial. On the one hand, it helps children learn how to manage their time and set priorities effectively, and it can develop their sense of responsibility and self-management skills. On the other hand, good gaming habits can also prevent overindulgence in gaming and avoid adverse effects on behavior, health, and schooling. In addition, by regulating gaming behavior, children can learn values such as mutual respect and fair play. By actively caring for others in games, they can also get along better with others in real life.
Control gameplay time
Overindulgence in video games may limit children’s social interactions and affect the development of their social skills. In terms of academics, parents are worried that games will take up too much study time, leading to a decline in academic performance. From a health perspective, sitting still and staring at the screen for a long time may affect children’s physical health and eyesight.
So, parents must control their kids’ gameplay. It does not mean to cut off every chance for your children to play video games. Playing online games, like physical exercise, is a kind of relaxation and communication. Supposing kids have sufficient interactions with social life, they will not seek happiness in the game world.
Remember, school time, meal time, and bedtime should not be crowded out by video games. You must be decisive about kids’ gameplay. When it is time to stop, you must urge them to stop. Another feasible way is to set a schedule for your child. On the condition that your child finishes the homework, you can grant him 1 hour a day, and maybe no more than 2 hours a day on the weekends.
Control gameplay content
Internet safety is also an area of concern for parents, who are worried that their children may be influenced by undesirable information in games. Finally, some games may contain unhealthy content, affecting the formation of children’s values.
So, parents should pay attention to game ratings. Game platforms like Epic Games, Steam, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft have detailed information about a game, including genres, features, system requirements, etc. As a parent, the superior one you should notice is the game rating. If the age rating is beyond your kid’s acceptance ability, as a precaution, you should block the game.
Tired of reading long texts? You can just start playing a game by yourself and then judge whether it is suitable for your kid. After all, parents know children better!
Control gameplay via parental controls
The forms and genres of video games are extremely diverse, including role-playing games, strategy games, and action games. With the increasing development of technology, video games have evolved from simple 2D designs to today’s 3D, VR, and AR games.
So, one point is that parental controls must evolve themselves to adapt to multi environment including cell phones, computers, game consoles, even TVs. So, one by one, let’s get into the visual world.
Control gameplay on Windows and Mac
Microsoft rolls out its parental controls. On Windows systems, you can create a Family Safety account for your family members. This powerful parental controls has features like screen time, content filtering, and an activity report.
By the same token, Mac supports to creating new user account for kids. It has screen time and app limits.
Browsers like Chrome and Edge also add some options to prevent kids from developing online addiction.
Game platforms like Epic Games and Steam have parental control options. If your child loves to play on PCs, you should apply for enhanced parental controls.
With these features, you can control your kids’ gameplay on computers and laptops.
Control gameplay on iOS
Whether you are a user of iPhone or iPad. The highly recommended feature is screen time.
Another point worth your attention is that Apple’s built-in browser, Safari, has its own parental controls. Online scams and social media will not bother your kid if you configure these settings.
Some apps in the Apple Store support daily usage reports and app tracking. You can try some and find the most suitable one for controlling.
Control gameplay on Android
Some Android phones, like iPhone and iPad, have their own built-in screen time. If your Android devices have such a feature, do not forget to open them and set a phone-free time for your kids. Most Android phones have daily usage, too. Don’t forget to open it and look at the dashboard from time to time.
If you think it is troublesome to configure different Android phones, downloading Google Family Link is a good idea.
Control gameplay with powerful features: Parental control apps
While some apps like Snapchat, Netfilx, Whatsapp, and Instagram have parental controls, the features may be limited to the app level. Your phone is a kaleidoscopic world with more than just apps.
Messages, locations, contacts, email…
Surely, with so many features in our phones, they need to be controlled for our kids. With technical support today, developers all over the world are endeavoring to protect kids on the Internet. Parental control apps are the crystallization of wisdom.
Parental control apps are made in controlling kids’ gameplay
To protect children from bad content on the Internet, set electronic device usage time, and monitor Internet behavior, this kind of app have several main features, including:
- Content Filtering: Block access to inappropriate websites and content.
- Time Restrictions: Controls the amount of time your child spends online and sets time slots for usage.
- Monitoring: Track your child’s online behavior, including search history and social media activity.
- Geolocation: Know your child’s real-time location and set safe zones, etc.
- App Blocker: Decide which apps your child can use and even set usage times for certain apps.
A wide range of apps may have additional or special features. Bark, Net Nanny, and MMguardian are excellent apps equipped with powerful features.
FlashGet Kids: Hardwired to prevent game addition
FlashGet Kids is a powerful and user-friendly tool for safely managing your children’s activities on the Internet. Its customizable options and easy-to-use interface make it easy for parents to set up features.
Stable connection, powerful features, and accurate monitoring… FlashGet Kids has come a long way in the network, it has screen time, daily usage, an app blocker, etc. Controlling your kids’ gameplay is no longer a headache for you.
Not only in the virtual world, FlashGet Kids has live monitoring and location tracking. It runs quietly in the background with a hidden icon-an invisible bodyguard for your kids.
Plus control gameplay: hand in hand with children
Why are video games so addictive, and why do kids and teens always fall victim to them? The answer is the anticipation of such rewards. Children, like adults in some respects, need to be affirmed and encouraged. A big reward is the best evidence for affirmation and encouragement. That’s why video games always give children a sense of fulfillment and belonging. Do not blame them for their fragile minds; they are sometimes so single-minded that they just want to find a little world for themselves.
So why not give them this kind of reward? You can do it in both the physical and virtual worlds. To achieve that, we would like to offer you some tips.
Online multiplayer control game
Platforms including Epic Games, Steam, Roblox, PS, and so on do not only have parental controls; they have family-friendly games, too! Through games, children can not only relax but also develop their hands-on skills, observation skills, imagination, and teamwork skills, which is worth a try.
- Overcooked! 2: This is an innovative and fun cooking game, ideal for playing with children. The need to work together to complete various cooking tasks can greatly improve teamwork.
- Stardew Valley: This is a farm simulation game where you can farm, breed, fish, mine, and build your own farm.
- Human: Fall Flat: This is a physics puzzle game where you need to find your way through a series of abstract dreamscapes. It’s easy to play and has a lot to play with, making it suitable for playing with kids.
These are just a few examples of parent-child games, and more may need to be explored and discovered by you based on your own and your child’s shared interests. When you make a choice, make sure you have read the age rating and the game overview. If they do well in play with you, don’t forget to give them some reward, like a trophy in the game.
Offline family time
Video games surely are not the center of life. In children’s growing up, there are so many other ways to gain reward, encouragement, and affirmation.
- Read stories: even older children tend to enjoy story time. Choose a book that is appropriate for their age level, and set aside some time each day to read together. Not only will this help build a bond between parent and child, but it will also help your child improve their reading skills.
- Explore the outdoors: Outdoor activities allow children to enjoy the fresh air and exercise together with their parents, such as taking a walk, riding a bike, or sliding down a slide. It’s also a great way to have a picnic in the park, go to the beach, or go for a hike together.
- Arts and crafts activities: Craft activities such as painting, cutting and pasting, and molding are very helpful in developing a child’s creativity, and at the same time, they are a way for parents and children to interact together. Regular art time can be set up to allow children to express their creativity.
When your kids finish the task, you should give them a small gift as a reward-maybe some sweet candy!
A happy ending
May every dear parent and child feel joy and happiness in the world of online games. It is not only entertainment but also improves skills, builds friendships, and promotes interaction. Although the world of gaming is fictional, the fun and rewards gained from it are real. Remember, online gaming can be a wonderful experience as long as you keep fun in your heart. I hope you can find fun while staying healthy and having a great gaming time.
FAQs about control gameplay
What is the point of the game control?
Sometimes the smallest things could mean the most to kids. In the modern life, we almost bind everything with electronic gadgets. Game control seems like a small thing but if we do kill kids’ bad habits on video games, game addiction will cause long-term and severe impact on their growing up.
Does control have an ending?
We advise you to stop control your kids’ gameplay when they reach to the legal age. If kids have formed good habits and gotten self-control, you could think about stopping controlling them on their gameplay in the light of their particular circumstance.
Is it OK to play games for 3 hours?
For a kid, 3 hours a day is unacceptable, because spending too much time on the game will deplete energy in a passive way and crowd out social interaction with others. 3 hours in a week is acceptable as long as he finish his homework and video games do not drag him out of normal life pace. As parents, you can arrange proper time for your kids on video games.
Can you make control easier?
Yes, tech heavyweights including Microsoft, Google, Facebook have launched their parental controls one by one. With these parental control tools, you can manage and monitor your kids’ network behavior at your fingertips. If you want some cross-device parental controls on your kids, we suggest that you invest in some parental control apps like FlashGet Kids.
Can parental control apps help control gameplay hours?
Yes. Most of parental control apps have features like screen time and app blocker. You can use screen time to lock your children’s cell phones at school time, lunch time, and family time. If you don’t want to block the usage of phone, you can apply to app blocker to block game apps.
