Academics and psychologists are raising alarm about the dangers of violent electronic games for children and adolescents.
These games, they warn, can incite aggression and lead to severe psychological effects. This includes addiction and a tendency towards isolation from reality.
Experts emphasise the importance of parental involvement in the daily activities of their children with electronic devices to maintain physical and mental health and offer necessary protection.
Key concerns highlighted include addiction, bullying, electronic blackmail, privacy loss, and exposure to malicious programmes.
To mitigate these risks, specialists have recommended several measures. Some of them are using parental controls, installing high-quality protection programmes, setting time limits, and occasionally participating in the games to understand their content.
Dr Omar al Yahyaee points out numerous health problems stemming from electronic game addiction, such as vision issues, headaches, poor concentration, and physical stress from repetitive use of hands and arms, potentially leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis.
Moreover, psychological problems like Internet gaming disorder syndrome, sleep deprivation, and insomnia can arise from excessive gaming.
Educational specialists and psychologists urge parents to closely monitor their children’s game choices, ensuring they select content that is safe and beneficial. Electronic games, they caution, are a double-edged sword: they can be both educational and dangerous. There is a significant risk of children falling prey to fraudsters through these games, leading to financial exploitation via deceptive advertisements and links.
Anwar bin Abdulrasool al Zedjali, Head of the Audio and Visual Works Division, Ministry of Information, notes that the proliferation of electronic games has significantly boosted the global market, particularly through mobile phones.
However, he warns that constant phone use can lead to eye strain, decreased concentration, and a lack of family interaction, resulting in psychological and familial detachment. Additionally, the ability of children and teenagers to communicate with strangers through these games poses serious risks, including blackmail.
Parents are advised to spend more time with their children, engage in their gaming activities, foster effective communication, encourage physical activity, and monitor electronic accounts. Giving children attention, security, and trust is also crucial.
Parents should not reprimand but rather encourage their children to report any instances of electronic blackmail, bullying, threats, or harassment. It is essential to use parental control programmes, befriend their children, and know their gaming companions to enhance protection from the dangers of electronic games. Reporting any abuse to the relevant security services is also strongly recommended.
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