Parental Mediation Strategies in the Use of Videogames by Children: A Panacea for Curtailing Negative Influence

Abstract

Videogames have become a popular form of entertainment that is both enjoyed by adults and children. Studies have proven that there are negative effects of videogames on its users which has become worrisome especially as its users are children as well. Concerns have been raised about the objectionable nature of some of the contents which glamorize violence and sex. The issue of parental mediation therefore is crucial as children have been found to have access to these videogames. The mediation would help to moderate negative effects of this media and possibly harness its positive effects for the benefit of the children. This study therefore looks at various concepts that have to do with children and their use of videogames, children and childhood, parenting and parent-child interaction and parents' mediation in children's videogame use. The study suggests among others that videogame content providers should include age specification and parental advisory which would form as a guide for sensitizing parents and guardians on the need for mediation in their children's use of videogames