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. Video games make kids loners is a myth. 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. Often kids find friends amongst their peers by means of video games. It allows them a chance to talk to someone who they otherwise wouldn’t have talked to. Sharing ideas and experiences, in both the game and real life, is a result of this. A shared interest would lead to a friendship that could provide them with the necessary socialization skills.
The feeling of achievement is something that those kids who can’t play video games during weekdays love. 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.
If a child is not particularly extroverted, video games provide him a chance to move out of his comfort zone. For most role-playing video games, a kid needs to make certain decisions to be able to play the game well. He can learn to apply this lesson, that he is what he decides to do or be, in real life.
Places that they know are far from their reach is virtually within their grasp Some games are hooked online, making interactions among gamers almost as cultural as it is interpersonal. 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. Often they would just talk about the gaming elements and the image quality of the game. They would talk about the level of difficulty and brag that they are succeeding in the game. But in the long run, video games can be something that they would love for the rest of their lives or outgrow. So the next time you kid wants used Fable 2, cheap Clone Wars Light Saber Duels, or buy Gears of War 2; maybe you should say yes.