Experts advise sharing video game time with minors

Many online games offer the possibility of exchanging information through chat. However, this function carries dangers, warns a German initiative that promotes the conscious use of the media by children.

Especially for younger children, experts point out, analogue games are often more suitable, and they advise, in the case of online games, that minors play with friends or, if possible, choose titles with a moderated chat.

Parents should accompany their children when using online games. In other words, they should try the games themselves or play a round with the children. In this way, they demonstrate interest, create shared experiences and thus promote a trustful exchange and dialogue about games.

In this way, parents can sensitize children to the dangers, for example, by openly addressing the fact that in games they may encounter propaganda, extremist agitation, fake news and derogatory slogans.

truth is that some players use chats to convey their ideological view of the world without filters and to spread agitation, warns Iren Schulz, the initiative's media expert.

In addition to texts and images, these messages can also indirectly influence players' decisions over the course of games, for example, when they justify or glorify violence against minorities.

According to Schulz, elements of the most popular games among children and young people are also often modified. Players can design the name of the profile, the equipment of the game's characters or entire playful worlds, and thus introduce, for example, extremist opinions, anti-constitutional symbols or misanthropic messages.

For children, it is not always clear what is happening, since they are often not in a position to make a critical assessment of the world of games. Parents can prepare them for these experiences and teach them to question the contents. In addition, they must explain to minors that they can always resort to them in case of doubt.

It is best if parents offer age-appropriate and pedagogically selected content. It is also recommended to enable the security and privacy settings, as well as not stop accompanying and guiding the child in the use of the game.

dpa