Digital Wellness Africa’s Post

Are you tired of fighting over video game screen time? Frustrated by battles about when to turn off the console? Or maybe you’re just worried about how much gaming is too much? You're not alone. That’s why we’re excited to announce our virtual summit GameWell 2024: Your Family and Video Gaming, hosted by experts in adolescent health and parenting, Drs. Bobo Blankson and Lester Clowes , co-hosts of the Dare to Dad podcast. 🎮🧠 🗓️ Save the Dates: October 25-26, 2024 This FREE summit is designed to help parents go beyond the myths and fears around gaming, answering questions like: Is my child addicted to video games? Do violent video games create violent behavior? How much screen time is too much? And more! The goal of this summit is to move past the idea that video games are a "necessary evil" and turn them into an opportunity for you to connect with your child, promote healthy habits, and support them in growing into happy, well-rounded adults. 🎤 Key Topics Include: The Language of Video Games: Understanding how kids communicate through games. Video Games Can Be a Force of Good: How gaming builds skills, social connections, and creativity. Game Well, Live Well: Encouraging healthy gaming habits. Digital Literacy and Safety: Protecting your kids in digital spaces. Whether you’re a concerned parent or simply want to learn more, this is your chance to hear from the best in the field and get the insights you need to turn the tide on gaming arguments at home. 💥 Ready to turn screen time into quality time? Join us for two transformative days of information and inspiration! 👉 Register Now to Save Your Spot: https://lnkd.in/dU8NMqv2 Don’t miss this opportunity to finally get on the same team with your gamer!

Can video games contribute to the well-being of children and, if so, how? The latest Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RICTEC) report sheds light on news that may not surprise those who spend time in the Scratch community — digital games can support children's emotional regulation, imagination, creativity, and a host of other well-being indicators. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dyaBVz37

GET OUR TAKE ON CELL PHONE BANS IN SCHOOLS + OUR LATEST RESEARCH ON TEEN GAMING In this month's newsletter, we offer our view on the topic of cell phone bans in schools and some recommendations for how parents and educators can promote digital wellness. We're also excited to announce the results of our latest Pulse Survey: Unveiling the Social World of Teen Gamers. This survey of nearly 1,500 adolescents and teens dives deep into the social dynamics of video game play. Our top takeaway? Gaming is more than entertainment — it's a social hub, with over 75% of teens playing with friends/family online. https://ow.ly/TaLG50RjUYu For more recommendations on topics like cell phones in schools to insights from our latest research, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

Online gaming is increasingly filling the social gap for many lonely teens—but at what cost? Our newest white paper, developed in partnership with Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab, uncovers some important trends: lonelier teens tend to engage more deeply with online games, particularly with strangers, which may increase their exposure to toxic behavior. The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger moderation tools, cross-platform safety measures, and age verification processes to protect young gamers. As the gaming industry continues to grow, it’s essential for developers, parents, and educators to work together to ensure online spaces are positive and supportive for all adolescents. Read the full report here >> https://shorturl.at/LfDoI  #TechForGood #MentalHealthAwareness #SafeGaming

Today is International Day of Play! Play comes in so many forms, including digital games. For decades, debate has raged around whether digital games can contribute to the well-being of children. We recently produced research with the The University of Sheffield, New York University and the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) that found something remarkable: digital games can indeed contribute to the well-being of children. They can allow children to experience a sense of control, to have freedom of choice, to experience mastery and feelings of achievement. Digital games can support children in experiencing and regulating emotions and help them feel connected to others and manage those social connections. Children can imagine different possibilities, act on original ideas, make things, and explore, construct and express facets of themselves and others. All with the help of digital games. But in order to support children and contribute to their well-being, games must be designed with their well-being in mind. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/dyaBVz37

🚀 Unlocking the Potential of Digital Games for Children's Well-being UNICEF's latest research highlights how digital games, when thoughtfully designed, can significantly enhance the well-being of children. These games foster autonomy, emotional regulation, creativity, and social connections, supporting kids in ways that traditional methods might not. As we innovate in digital spaces, it's crucial to prioritize children's needs, ensuring that technology becomes a positive force in their lives. #DigitalInnovation #ChildWellBeing #TechForGood #ResponsibleGaming 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dJQgkueX

Last May, amidst the excitement of #CanadaPlays, Doctors Gray Atherton and Liam Cross from the University of Plymouth made a profoundly meaningful contribution on the intersection of #autism and #boardgaming at Canada’s premiere tabletop game industry trade show and conference experience, #CanadaPlays.    ➡ Over the past few years, Doctors Atherton and Cross surveyed over 1,600 board gamers and conducted over 35 gamer interviews in their work with Asmodee’s program to support scientific #research on boardgames, #GameinLab.    Among the 1,600+ board game hobbyists surveyed, they measured that 25% were neurodiverse people and that 4.7% were autistic people (versus 1% within the general population). Reporting a wide range of board gamer demographics and various motivations and preferences within the hobby, the researchers presented how these insights may be useful to #gamedesigners and those interested in using board games for #educational or #therapeutic purposes. For example, they showcased research on using board games as a potential intervention to support people with autism.    To go back, revisit the conversation and fully engage with the subject matter once more, make sure to check out our playlist. It's got the full event video, the highlights, and an awesome interview with Mandi Hutchinson (Salt & Sass Games) ➡ https://lnkd.in/eiCyZR8A Melanie Watier Emily Bradshaw Arielle Grenier-Brazeau Audrey Blain Léa Martinez, PhD #BoardGames #AutismAwareness #TherapeuticGaming #Inclusivity #GameChangers #Asmodee

Are we letting screens steal our children's future? In our research across 232 schools in 7 states, we found a significant concern: excessive screen time is leading to a decline in cognitive skills among youth. This isn't just about distraction, but it is shaping the next generation. According to World Health Organisation, by 2050, 50% of Indians could suffer from myopia due to excessive smartphone and screen use. That’s an alarming statistic. But there’s a way to help: UNBOX games provide a meaningful and enjoyable alternative for families to disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other. Learning, fun, and family time! All without the constant glow of a mobile screen. Visit [www.launchspaceunbox.com] to explore how you can make a change for your family.

Attractive People Are Less Likely To Play Video Games, NBER Study Says: From a paper on the National Bureau of Economic Research: We investigate the relationship between physical attractiveness and the time people devote to video/computer gaming. Average American teenagers spend 2.6% of their waking hours gaming, while for adults this figure is 2.7%. Using the American Add Health Study, we show that adults who are better-looking have more close friends. Arguably, gaming is costlier for them, and they thus engage in less of it. Physically attractive teens are less likely to engage in gaming at all, whereas unattractive teens who do game spend more time each week on it than other gamers. Attractive adults are also less likely than others to spend any time gaming; and if they do, they spend less time on it than less attractive adults. Using the longitudinal nature of the Add Health Study, we find supportive evidence that these relationships are causal for adults: good looks decrease gaming time, not vice-versa. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Attractive People Are Less Likely To Play Video Games, NBER Study Says: From a paper on the National Bureau of Economic Research: We investigate the relationship between physical attractiveness and the time people devote to video/computer gaming. Average American teenagers spend 2.6% of their waking hours gaming, while for adults this figure is 2.7%. Using the American Add Health Study, we show that adults who are better-looking have more close friends. Arguably, gaming is costlier for them, and they thus engage in less of it. Physically attractive teens are less likely to engage in gaming at all, whereas unattractive teens who do game spend more time each week on it than other gamers. Attractive adults are also less likely than others to spend any time gaming; and if they do, they spend less time on it than less attractive adults. Using the longitudinal nature of the Add Health Study, we find supportive evidence that these relationships are causal for adults: good looks decrease gaming time, not vice-versa. Read more of this story at Slashdot.