04/10/2024
The Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Cyber Crimes Bureau recently blocked access to the gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns that it contained content harmful to children. This decision has reignited discussions about the impact of gaming platforms on children's mental health. Asst. Prof. Ezgi Ildırım, Head of the Psychology Department at Istinye University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, provided insights into the effects of uncontrolled media and gaming access on children's mental well-being and offered guidance for parents on how to shield their children from negative content.
In today's world, keeping children away from screens and digital games has become nearly impossible. Nevertheless, some gaming platforms host content that can be detrimental to young users. This raises critical questions: How do these games affect children's mental health? What should parents be vigilant about? How can children be educated to protect themselves from harmful content? The recent blocking of Roblox has brought these issues to the forefront.
The Risks of Gaming on Mental Health
Discussing the effects of media and gaming platforms on children's mental health, Ildırım stated:
"The impact of gaming platforms on children depends on various factors, including the game's content, the child's age, the duration of play, and parental supervision. While some studies indicate positive effects on children's attention processes, exposure to violence, cyberbullying, sexual content, and hate speech can negatively impact their mental health. Content that adversely affects body image can also contribute to the development of eating disorders. Additionally, cyberbullying—characterized by humiliating, threatening, or discriminatory comments and rumor-spreading—can significantly harm children's self-esteem and, in some instances, lead to anxiety disorders and depression."
Head of the Department of Psychology Asst. Prof. Ezgi Ildırım
Understanding the Nature of Abuse
When asked whether gaming platforms can facilitate child abuse, Ildırım explained:
"There are various forms of abuse against children, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. Children can experience psychological abuse through cyberbullying, which includes humiliating and threatening messages, as well as online grooming, solicitation for sexually explicit images, and the distribution of explicit content. The anonymity of players on these platforms, along with the ability to present themselves under different identities, heightens the risk of abuse. Moreover, the presence of sexual and violent imagery in some games can further harm children's mental health. The multiplayer nature of certain gaming platforms, which allows for social interaction, can also lead to situations where children may be scammed."
Parental Responsibilities in Content Monitoring
In light of these issues, parents play a crucial role in safeguarding their children. Ildırım emphasized the importance of parental vigilance by stating, "When selecting games, parents should carefully consider the content and its appropriateness for their child's age. It is essential for parents to research game content thoroughly."
By playing games with their children, parents can review content together and create a collaborative environment for sharing. It is essential for parents to supervise and control the content during their children’s gameplay, as parental oversight is particularly important given the ever-changing nature of online games. Additionally, parents should establish and enforce clear rules regarding gaming behavior.
Raising Awareness About Harmful Content
To prevent children from accessing harmful content, it is crucial to raise their awareness. Assist. Prof. Ildırım offers the following suggestions to families on how to educate their children about online safety:
Parents should inform their children about safe internet use and digital gaming practices. It is vital to teach them not to share personal information, such as their identity, address, phone number, passwords, or school details. Enhancing children’s digital literacy is key, and they should be made aware of what information is safe to share online. Furthermore, children should be cautioned about interacting with strangers they meet on online platforms. If they encounter inappropriate or harmful content, families should foster a safe space for discussing and reporting such experiences. Additionally, family members should model responsible online behavior for their children.