Most parents don’t give permission to their children to play video games for they worry about its potential negative effects, such as reduced focus on studies, exposure to inappropriate content, or lack of physical activity. On the contrary, children don’t accept any of these allegations, and they always find video games entertaining and engaging.

However, to end this war between parents and their children, I am going to share some clever tips to convince your parents to let you play video games! But you need to remember that it’s all about showing responsibility and balancing your gaming time with other important activities.

When your parents tell you that videogames are of no use, tell them that video games are not just entertaining, they help develop problem-solving skills, improve hand-eye coordination and nurture persistence in children. For instance, playing games that require strategy and completing missions can enhance persistence and creativity. Additionally, they help develop an understanding of technology and programming, which are essential skills in today’s world. They also encourage a healthy sense of competition and determination.

Now, I’ll share some arguments to ease your parents’ worries. As parents, they naturally worry about the effects of staring at the screen for long periods. You can balance your playtime by taking breaks — after playing for an hour, give your eyes some time to relax before playing again. This way, your parents won’t be as concerned.

If you find yourself playing more than planned, set a time limit on your gaming device so that it automatically shuts off when time is up. You can further ease your parents’ concerns by asking them to set up supervision on your device, ensuring that only age-appropriate games are available.

If your parents are still not convinced, then tell them about these famous personalities who played video games as children, but grew up to be very successful, such as Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla), Bill Gates (Founder of Microsoft), Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook) and many others.

Another great real-life example is that of British racing driver Jann Mardenborough, whose inspiring journey to becoming a race car driver I discovered through the movie Gran Turismo, based on his life story. He started out as a boy who was mocked by his family for playing the video game Gran Turismo. However, he was soon selected to drive actual race cars, and with the support of his coaches, he rose to the top and finished third in the prestigious 24-hour Le Mans race.

I hope these tips help you work your magic and convince your parents to let you play video games, in moderation of course! Level up those gaming skills, but don’t forget to level up your chores too!

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 21st, 2024