As of February 2024, 1.7493 billion video game consoles have been sold worldwide since the first television-based console came out in 1972. Today, over 831,000 video games are available across various platforms, including major digital storefronts like Steam and consoles such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. With nearly 2.6 billion gamers worldwide, video games have evolved from a niche hobby to a global pastime, accessible on nearly every digital device. The diverse range of games ensures there’s something for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or location.
What makes video games beneficial for kids?
Gaming offers an immersive escape from reality, allowing players to engage in virtual worlds and shape their own narratives, thus building creativity. This, along with the rise of e-sports and the social aspect of gaming, has established it as a major form of modern entertainment. The pandemic has accelerated this trend, with many finding gaming a key source of leisure and connection. A survey by Deloitte showed that more than half the gamers surveyed enjoyed playing video games because they help them stay connected to other people.
Video games can be educational and serve as edutainment tools. Many games are designed to improve problem-solving skills, enhance hand-eye coordination, and promote strategic thinking. Educational games, in particular, can make learning fun by incorporating academic subjects such as math, science, and history into engaging gameplay. This blend of education and entertainment helps keep kids motivated and interested in learning. Games like those offered by LeapFrog Academy are examples of how video games can be both fun and informative. Edutainment games such as Minecraft, Scratch, and Magic School Bus are excellent examples of how gaming can combine fun with learning, helping kids develop skills in coding, problem-solving, and general knowledge.
Studies have shown that video games come with some biological benefits for their users, including children. A comprehensive review of 116 studies published in 2017 shows that video gaming can positively impact cognitive functions. Gamers show improvements in various types of attention, such as sustained and selective, with their brains operating more efficiently in these areas. This efficiency helps gamers focus on complex tasks with less mental effort than non-gamers.
Research has also shown that gaming enhances visuospatial skills, which involve understanding visual and spatial relationships. Long-term gamers and those who have undergone video game training exhibit increased size and competency in brain regions related to these skills, including a larger right hippocampus associated with spatial navigation and memory.
However, there are potential drawbacks. Video gaming can be addictive, leading to functional and structural changes in the neural reward system, similar to other addictive disorders. This phenomenon, known as “Internet gaming disorder,” points to the importance of balancing the cognitive benefits of gaming with its potential negative consequences. Parents and caregivers need to nurture healthy gaming practices in children.
The appeal of video games spans many genres, with action and adventure games popular across age groups. Mobile gaming trends show puzzle games as the most popular, followed by strategy and casino genres. Streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch further enhance the gaming experience, with major events drawing millions of viewers online.
You can read more about our take on the pros and cons of video gaming here and here.
Choosing the Best and Safest Game Console for Kids
When it comes to investing in a gaming system for your children, there’s a lot to consider. With options like Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and many others, game systems are complex pieces of technology, making the decision process somewhat involved. For a purchase that can cost as much as $1,000, It is important to know that the system is best suited not only for the child, but also for the family. Key factors to consider include:
- Age-Appropriateness: It’s crucial to choose a console with a library of games that suit your child’s age group. Younger kids benefit from consoles with a variety of E-rated games, while older children might enjoy more complex and mature game options.
- Parental Controls: Easy-to-access parental controls are essential for controlling and managing the games your kids can play and how much time they spend gaming. For instance, the Nintendo Switch offers robust and user-friendly parental control options ideal for younger children.
- Game Variety: A console with a large and varied library of compatible games ensures that there is something for everyone, keeping kids engaged and entertained.
- Durability: Kids can be rough on their toys, so a gaming console with durable construction is a wise investment.
- Affordability: Budget is always a concern. It’s important to find a console that offers good value for the price, balancing cost with the features and games available.
Younger kids will need a console with a roster of age-appropriate games and straightforward parental controls, such as the Nintendo Switch. On the other hand, teens may be ready for a system with less restrictive parental controls and a more sophisticated game library, such as a laptop or a PC.
Review of Gaming Systems for Kids
Choosing the best and safest gaming console for your kids can be a daunting task, given the myriad of options available. This section reviews and compares some of the most popular gaming systems—PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch OLED, Razer Kishi V2, and LeapFrog LeapPad Educational Tablets. Whether you’re looking for a high-performance console for your teenager or an educational device for your young child, this guide will help you find the perfect gaming system to suit your family’s needs.
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony’s latest gaming console, renowned for its fast loading times, 4K resolution, 3D audio, and innovative DualSense controllers. These features provide an immersive gaming experience with responsive haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that enhance gameplay.
Pros and Cons for Kids:
- Pros: The PS5 has a user-friendly interface and is backwards compatible with many PS4 games, making it an excellent choice for families with existing PlayStation libraries. It also boasts a large and diverse game library and robust parental controls that allow parents to manage screen time, restrict game access, and monitor online interactions.
- Cons: The PS5 is relatively expensive, and its high-performance capabilities might be more than what younger kids need.
Suitable Games for Kids:
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Astro’s Playroom
Integration with Mobicip: Possible
Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, known for its powerful performance, 4K resolution, 120 fps capabilities, and Smart Delivery5, which optimizes game versions for best experience.
Pros and Cons for Kids:
- Pros: The Xbox Series X features a sleek design, backwards compatibility with many Xbox One games, a large and diverse game library, and comprehensive parental controls.
- Cons: Like the PS5, the Xbox Series X is a high-end, expensive console.
Suitable Games for Kids:
- Minecraft
- Forza Horizon 4
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Halo Infinite
Integration with Mobicip: The Xbox Series X can also be integrated with Mobicip, offering similar parental control functionalities to ensure a safe gaming environment for kids.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED is a hybrid console with a 7-inch OLED screen, improved audio, and versatile Joy-Con controllers. It can be used as a handheld device or connected to a TV.
Pros and Cons for Kids:
- Pros: Its portability and versatility make it ideal for kids, with a wide range of family-friendly games. The design is durable, and the interface is easy to use.
- Cons: The parental controls are somewhat limited compared to other consoles.
Suitable Games for Kids:
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Integration with Mobicip: Possible
Razer Kishi V2
The Razer Kishi V2 is a mobile gaming controller that attaches to any smartphone. Its ergonomic design and cloud gaming compatibility make it perfect for on-the-go gaming.
Pros and Cons for Kids:
- Pros: It is affordable, easy to use, and supports a variety of games through mobile and cloud gaming platforms.
- Cons: It lacks built-in parental controls.
Suitable Games for Kids:
- Among Us
- Roblox
- Minecraft
- Fortnite
Integration with Mobicip: Possible.
LeapFrog LeapPad Educational Tablets
The LeapFrog LeapPad Educational Tablets are designed specifically for young children, offering educational content and built-in parental controls.
Pros and Cons for Kids:
- Pros: They are highly durable, have a strong focus on learning potential, and include fun, educational games.
- Cons: The game library is more limited compared to other gaming systems.
Suitable Games for Kids:
- LeapFrog Academy
- PJ Masks: Time to Be a Hero
- Trolls: Party Time with Poppy
- Paw Patrol: Ready for Action
Integration with Mobicip: Possible
Take away
The choice of a gaming console for your kids will depend on your specific needs and the preferences of your family as a whole. By considering the main criteria and understanding the features of each system, you can make an informed decision that ensures a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for your children. With the integration of parental control apps like Mobicip, you can further enhance the safety and management of your kids’ gaming activities while they explore the exciting world of video games.
With Mobicip, you can monitor and manage your child’s screen time, set healthy boundaries, and protect them from inappropriate content across all their gaming devices. Give your kids the freedom to enjoy their favorite games while giving yourself the peace of mind that comes with robust parental controls. Start your free 7-day trial and create a safer, more balanced gaming environment for your family.
Leave a Reply