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I’ll Just Play A Few Mintues

Zuma Cover

Image via Wikipedia

You only plan on looking at your favorite Facebook game for just a few minutes. After all, everyone deserves a break – right? While that is  true, the reality is some of the popular games on Facebook and similar systems are costing you a lot more than you think they are. Instead of going out and buying a new computer game, many of us are relying on ‘free’ games offered online. The time we spend playing these games is time that could be better spent else where.

Consider, for example, a freelance copywriter who works from home. They have the ability to control their income, perhaps more so than any other profession. Waking up in the morning to check their farm or play a level of free Zuma only takes a few minutes – except it actually takes much longer. Take a few minutes to add up just how much time you spend each day checking your game out, trying to level up, or just trying to spend a few mindless minutes. You might be surprised to find that it isn’t five or ten minutes, it is two or three hours.

That’s the point of those games, they are designed to keep you playing, keep you seeing those ads, keep you busy. They take you away from your work, from your family, from your life. There is actually a Farmville Addiction program. They take a lot of time and energy.

Sure, if you are only of those people who can control themselves very strictly and carefully monitor how much time you spend playing, go ahead. If you aren’t, you just might want to stay away.

Monitoring Computer and Video Games for Children

This is a picture of an XBOX.

Image via Wikipedia

Inconclusive evidence on both sides of the computer or video game debate regarding ill effects and benefits, leaves the job of limiting video game playing to parents.

As with anything in life, the old adage, too much of anything is not good for you, rings true in the world of computer games. If playing video games interferes with the essentials for a healthy environment, it becomes problematic. Limiting the type of games played, combined with the amount of time spent playing, can reduce the risks of bad habits regarding children and video game playing.

Educational Games

If children learn something, whether it is a skill or a technique for acquiring a skill by playing a particular game, it becomes a therapeutic tool. In determining the value of the game for educational purposes, parents should read the objectives of a video game.

If, however, they spend countless hours playing games with no obvious benefit, it can become detrimental to their mental well-being.

Age and Skill Level of Games

Parents aware of the learning style of their children can choose video or computer games that will highlight the child’s talents, or improve skills they lack. Games that stimulate problem-solving can boost a child’s self-esteem. Choosing the appropriate skill level for the age of the child will reduce a child’s frustration of the inability to play the game or win it.

Knowing your child and familiarizing yourself with the aspects of the computer or video games they play, will help to determine the value of game playing. It will also alert parents when children show signs of overdoing it, when playing computer or video games.