Abu Dhabi Police issued a warning about the risks associated with children and teenagers engaging in violent electronic games, emphasising the potential for psychological harm, addiction, and detachment from reality.
Officials said parents and guardians should monitor and surveil their children’s activity on their smart devices. Police thus urged parents to monitor their children and intervene in their choice of games and e-applications.
Abu Dhabi Police urged parents to track their children’s online activities and to encourage them to report any attempts to bully or blackmail them.
The police highlighted the dangers of children falling victim to fraudsters through electronic games, advertisements, and misleading links, urging parents to be vigilant and encourage open communication with their children.
The warning emphasised the importance of downloading parental control programs and knowing their children’s online friends to enhance their protection.
What are parents to do?
According to scientific studies, parents need to be involved in monitoring their children’s video game playing habits. This includes being aware of which video games their children are playing and knowing when to intervene in their children’s gaming. Be mindful of any kind of video games with violence and its effects on your children.
In addition, parents need to establish boundaries for their children in relation to their game playing to prevent it from becoming a bad habit. Never allow your children to spend hours and hours playing video games. Balance and moderation are key.
Be proactive in your children’s gaming activities and be involved in the video game world with your child. As fun and educational as video games can be, it is important that parents be aware that they can be both beneficial and detrimental to your child’s development.