Educate, don’t isolate kids from games: expert
EDUCATION is key when limiting the time spent in front of the screen.
That's the advice of Dr Lesley-anne Ey, who said it was important for parents to explain to children why limits on technology were important.
Dr Ey, an expert on child development from the University of South Australia, said technology wasn't all bad. She said for children over three, some computer games could be a good education tool, helping to improve problem-solving and analytical skills.
"Electronic media can be very beneficial for children because it's a good way to introduce them to new concepts," Dr Ey said.
She said education benefits were enhanced when parents played the games with children.
But there are extreme downsides to spending too much time in front of computer games.
Dr Ey said some violent or sexualised games could negatively impact on younger children and teens, who can struggle to separate truth and fiction.
Video games can also impact on sleep and activity if played for too long.
Dr Ey said parents couldn't completely isolate children from screen time, but could use sites like the Australian Council for Children and the Media to review particular games.
