By Mohammed Osman
DOHA: A study conducted by the Childhood Cultural Center (CCC), a member of Qatar Foundation, on the use of electronic games by children in Qatar shows that 85% of the children surveyed play such games daily, and 96% of them own devices that help them access such games.
The study conducted during July-August this year surveyed 500 random samples, including children and parents. Of the surveyed, 75% of the children spend an average three hours on electronic games once they started playing. Parents who took part in the survey have expressed concern over children’s excessive interest in violent games. Fifty-five percent of the children surveyed were found to be accessing online games.
As for the possible impact of electronic games on children’s behaviour, the study identified anger and violent behaviour as negative influences. Such trends were found among 33% of the children.
Twenty-eight percent of the children were found to be suffering from obesity, overweight, muscle weakness and vision problems, indicating a possible negative impact of electronic games on children’s health. The study has identified the positive impact of electronic games growth of knowledge, language and communication skills, social interaction, and building of trust and confidence. Of the parents surveyed, 44% said they play electronic games with their children, while 56% said they rarely do that. It was also found that 15% of the children buy the games themselves, with no parental supervision.
Of the surveyed, 69% of the children engage in sports and other activities, while 39% involve in various skills development activities. Based on the study the Center has proposed that competent authorities monitor the entry of electronic games to the local market.
This requires a review of the relevant laws and regulations to specify the appropriate age of children to whom electronic games can be sold. Shops must be stopped from selling them to every child, irrespective of their age. Law should ban games that don’t conform with Qatari culture and Islamic identity to avoid their negative impact on the children. Media and social media networks should play a role in raising awareness among parents to guide their children on the use of the best games that can develop their creativity and mental skills. Families should encourage children to take part in other activities like sports and cultural contests.
The Peninsula
By Mohammed Osman
DOHA: A study conducted by the Childhood Cultural Center (CCC), a member of Qatar Foundation, on the use of electronic games by children in Qatar shows that 85% of the children surveyed play such games daily, and 96% of them own devices that help them access such games.
The study conducted during July-August this year surveyed 500 random samples, including children and parents. Of the surveyed, 75% of the children spend an average three hours on electronic games once they started playing. Parents who took part in the survey have expressed concern over children’s excessive interest in violent games. Fifty-five percent of the children surveyed were found to be accessing online games.
As for the possible impact of electronic games on children’s behaviour, the study identified anger and violent behaviour as negative influences. Such trends were found among 33% of the children.
Twenty-eight percent of the children were found to be suffering from obesity, overweight, muscle weakness and vision problems, indicating a possible negative impact of electronic games on children’s health. The study has identified the positive impact of electronic games growth of knowledge, language and communication skills, social interaction, and building of trust and confidence. Of the parents surveyed, 44% said they play electronic games with their children, while 56% said they rarely do that. It was also found that 15% of the children buy the games themselves, with no parental supervision.
Of the surveyed, 69% of the children engage in sports and other activities, while 39% involve in various skills development activities. Based on the study the Center has proposed that competent authorities monitor the entry of electronic games to the local market.
This requires a review of the relevant laws and regulations to specify the appropriate age of children to whom electronic games can be sold. Shops must be stopped from selling them to every child, irrespective of their age. Law should ban games that don’t conform with Qatari culture and Islamic identity to avoid their negative impact on the children. Media and social media networks should play a role in raising awareness among parents to guide their children on the use of the best games that can develop their creativity and mental skills. Families should encourage children to take part in other activities like sports and cultural contests.
The Peninsula
