Before holiday I took part in a survey by My Voucher Codes as part of their ongoing research into the effect of technology and social media on our lives. Specifically the survey addressed my children’s relationship with video games. Personally, I had little to add as my two are weeny and their gaming is limited to the (somewhat bland) apps they have on their Leap Pad. However, having now seen the full results of the survey as published by Digital Connect Mag, they are a little disturbing.

Image source: Addiction-Treatment.com

The survey questioned parents to see what games they allow their children to play, if they do any research prior to purchasing them, if their children have access to games they have forbidden at friends houses, as well as how long their children spend playing computer games a week.

For me, the most telling question here is access to games outside of the home. Just how likely are your children to fess up and tell you they’re up until midnight battling strangers online at a slumber party? Furthermore, if you knew it was happening round Little Johnnies house, would you stop your child from going there? 23% said yes they’d keep their kids at home, but this is only an option if they knew in the first place.

So in truth, it’s very tricky to get an accurate picture of what games children are playing. With controversial games such as these below, it’s incredibly worrying to think about what our nation’s kids might be exposed to in bedrooms across the UK.

The video game survey further revealed that 50% of UK parents have been asked to buy age restricted games, with 30% admitting they eventually gave in to their child’s demands. This includes popular violent adult games such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Battlefield. Much of this seems to be a result of parental naivety as 35% admit they won’t even play or research the games first to see if they are suitable.

Mark Pearson founder of My Voucher Codes states the results were “disturbing” and points to peer pressure among youngsters as a major cause. He rightly goes on to state that “age ratings are set for a reason” and I have to agree. We’re not talking about Space Raiders and Pac-Man here with basic graphics and limited gameplay, games nowadays use CGI and are as life-like as the blockbusters we rush to see at the cinema.

In today’s ADHD-afflicted world of smart phones, app-infested iPads and console-addicted teens, immature young minds are plunged headfirst into virtual hedonism. My take is that parents need to seriously question the effects of gaming of children; Are they mentally equipped to make a proper distinction between what is real and what isn’t? Are our children becoming increasingly desensitised to violence as a result? Is it impacting adversely on their physical and mental health? - The studies exist so it’s time to seriously bone up.