Children and young people like to play. Play is a fun thing to do.
It also has a social aspect, as it can foster team spirit and develop certain skills. Parents often feel that their children spend too much time playing, but in some situations it can be the time that children and young people have to have fun, in addition to school and extracurricular activities.
Parental concerns are numerous, from cyberbullying situations, online predators, or online shopping. It is very important that parents have a dialogue with their children about online safety, explaining to them the risks that can occur on the internet, which also manifest themselves in online games.
Online games can have many benefits, but it is important to recognise that they come with some risks and that children and young people need to be aware of these risks in order to protect themselves. Playing games gives children and young people a sense of escape from the real world, and in some games they feel part of a community, which reinforces the social nature of online games.
However, just as in the 'real world', children and young people need guidance and support to avoid becoming victims of cybercrime. With the support and guidance of parents, children can develop their creativity, foster relationships with friends, and improve their strategic thinking. Gaming can also help them to have perseverance and resilience to achieve certain goals and improve their communication skills.