How Much Time Should a Child Spend on Computer Games?

With television, music, the Internet and video games, media occupies a top spot in the lives of many children. Video games can appeal to children, with action, entertainment and sometimes education combined to create an engaging gaming experience. For kids 8 years of age and younger, 43 percent of them use a computer and 32 percent enjoy console video games, according to a national survey published by Northwestern University.

  1. Recommendations

    • Current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to limit all screen time for children to one to two hours per day. Screen time includes television, computer and video game consoles. If a child spends part of this one or two hours engaging in other forms of screen time, the time spent with video games would need to decrease accordingly.

    Content Choices

    • With the time recommendation, the AAP also provides recommendations regarding the content that children view and use. The AAP advises families to choose ̶0;high quality̶1; content that does not include violence, explicit sexual content, and tobacco and alcohol use. Parents must continually analyze and monitor a child̵7;s choices in electronic games, remembering that ̶0;quality̶1; and ̶0;educational̶1; are not synonymous, according to a report published by the Fred Rogers Center. A video or computer game might be high quality even if it is not educational, as long as it provides positive and uplifting entertainment.

    Behavioral Issues

    • If children spend too much time on video or computer games and other forms of media, they can begin to exhibit behavioral issues, according to the Mayo Clinic website. These problems may begin to show if the child exceeds the two-hour mark with screen time. Some of the common behavioral issues may include emotional control, social interactions and attention problems. It̵7;s also more likely for children who exceed the recommended media time to engage in bullying behavior.

    Obesity

    • Excessive time spent on video or computer games invariably lead to the child not having as much time for other more active pursuits. Physical activities such as playing outdoors or participating in sports can contribute to a child̵7;s overall health. The sedentary lifestyle that often goes along with excessive video gaming or other media use can lead to childhood obesity, according to the University of Michigan Health System.

    Positive Alternatives

    • To draw children away from the pull of electronic games and other media, offer alternatives that will appeal to them, suggests the American Academy of Pediatrics. Playing board games, reading books, engaging in hobbies, playing outside, imaginative free play and sports are all enjoyable and engaging options that children could do instead.

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