Gaming

The landscape and nature of computer gaming has changed substantially over the last 10 to 15 years. The last two years through the pandemic has definitely changed the amount that we engage with gaming platforms. While in lockdown, gaming was often the way that children communicated and played with one another.

While some games promote collaboration and space for imaginative play, others can be a minefield of content that expose children to ideas, concepts and images that are inappropriate and not age appropriate. One of the games that we are aware has become popular and is being played now by young primary aged students is Grand Theft Auto, otherwise known as GTA. I wanted to spend a bit of time in the Wellbeing article this week to communicate with parents the dangers and pitfalls of primary-aged children playing or watching people play this game.

GTA is an 18+ game. The game has glamorised depictions of crime, greed and violence. It has adult satire which is often taken by children at face value as they do not have the lived experience or cognitive development to be able to see the nuanced nature of the satire. The visuals of this game are bright and engaging and the game itself is easy to play and has both online and offline features. Through playing the game players can participate in crime including buying guns, cars and weapons and can use these tools to kill many people including gangsters, police and innocent bystanders.

The game has high levels of graphic violence. It has highly sexualised themes including nudity. Adding to the inappropriate nature of this game is the language used which includes unfiltered swearing, sexualised sounds and words.

While children may not be playing the game itself, lots of gaming sites, YouTube channels, and chats will have videos of other people playing the game. As we know, children love talking about the games they play with their friends, this means that we need to be sure that the game they are playing and content they are consuming online is age appropriate and aimed at building on their creativity and establishing positive ways to engage with others.

If you would like to read more about GTA please follow this link to Common Sense Media.

As always, we seek to support our students and families in the development of their understanding of digital safety. If you have any questions about what you have read, please feel free to contact either myself tstefanec@stlouisaspendale.com or Thomson on twood@stlouisaspendale.com

Common Sense Media is a great website to look at the suitability of games for your children.

Further information about online gaming, including some of the more positive components, can be found here. The infographic below also identifies specific experiences that occur within GTA and the way in which parents can chat with their child/children.

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