Did you know that the video game your child is spending a lot of time playing could be hindering his or her development?
The Chief Health Officer of Kisumu County Dr Lusi Ojwang warns parents that long exposure to video games has gradual devastating effects on the health of children, and if the media consumption of the young ones is not well monitored, it could affect the child’s development.
“Video games not only hinder brain development but also do not stimulate intellectual development,” says Dr Ojwang on Wednesday.
He indicates that video games purely entails following procedures that have already been developed by another person and as a result children are not challenged to think beyond the game they are playing.
He also warns that the nature of content that are available in the video games have negative effects.
He says the content of some of the games are sexual in nature and some also have elements of violence and as a result do not support positive development in children.
“The nature of some of the games encourages children to develop violent and at times anti-social behaviors,” he says.
“Video game playing is highly prevalent among children in our generation. They spend a lot of time playing the games instead of focusing on studies and as a result they also limit their physical development,” he adds
The health officer further says the rising cases of obesity among children can be attributed to them spending a lot of time on computers and cell phones.
“When a child is playing a video game he/she is literally inactive. The muscles of most body parts are static and as result the child is not only physically unfit but can also develop health problems such as obesity,” he adds.
According to the medic, health problems such as migraines, sleep problems, backaches, eating irregularities and muscle sprains can also affect a child who spends a lot time playing video games.
He advises parents to monitor their child’s consumption of the media in terms of the video games they are playing and also the television and internet content that they access.
He advises parents to encourage their children to engage in physical activities because they have a positive effect on the brain function.