Girls reported playing video games 5.5 hours per week in fourth grade and 2.5 hours per week in eighth grade. Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper, creating two columns. With your children, brainstorm the potential positive and negative effects of playing video games and write them in the appropriate column. Games can give practice in following directions. Some games provide practice in problem-solving and logic.
Games can provide occasions for adults and children to play together.
Negatives Games could foster social isolation as they are often played alone. Practicing violent acts may contribute more to aggressive behavior than passive television watching. Studies do find a relationship between violent television watching and behavior. Women are often portrayed as weaker characters who are helpless and acted upon. Game environments are often based on plots of violence, aggression, and gender bias.