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Game On, Social Skills Over If Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 are at the top of your kid’s wish list, there are more important things to think about than where to buy this hard-to-find gift. 
Parents frantic to find an in-demand Nintendo Wii or Playstation 3 to make the holidays merry and TV-glow bright are well aware of the formidable challenge ahead. As arduous as locating the must-have gift of 2006 might be, however, experts warn the real difficulty might begin once the video games enter your home. As more scientists discover bad behavioral ramifications from continual game play, some health professionals believe that striking out in your quest to purchase a console might be the biggest gift of all. “If you’re concerned it is going to be difficult to control how much your child is playing, then one recommendation would be not to tempt them,” Eric Storch, Ph.D. says, a University of Florida assistant professor of pediatrics and psychiatry. “Don’t purchase one of these systems.” Storch believes casual gaming can be an adequate outlet for kids looking to problem solve and escape the daily grind, but relentless hours in front of the TV, controller in hand, begin to impede social development by isolating kids from their peers. “Social interactions teach you how to deal with other people as well as what’s appropriate and what’s not,” Storch says. “You learn how to handle situations. Social interaction is also one way of coping with stress and receiving emotional support.” Without this support he believes a child faces setbacks in the long run regarding how the rules of society work, possibly affecting future workplace behaviors. He also feels that excessive play allows a sedentary cycle to become reinforced, which can factor into childhood obesity, further impeding a child’s social confidence. And while the Wii uses a wand controller that allows for some physical movement, Storch says it’s no replacement for playing soccer or dancing with friends. “Children in America are definitely less active,” Elizabeth Vandewater, Ph.D. says, an assistant professor of human development and family sciences and director of the Center for Research on Interactive Technology, Television and Children at the University of Texas. The question is whether (TV, computers and video games) are to blame.” While most parents have an understanding of how video game ratings can help to evaluate what is appropriate for their child, Vandewater says there is no system in place to accurately gauge the educational value, even for those games and products claiming to be educational fare. “Parents need to know they are being marketed to,” she said. Storch doesn’t want to play the scrooge this holiday season – he acknowledges that all families have their own philosophy about video game habits – but he want parents to establish limits on play time, as well as to remove the temptation if necessary by either putting the controllers away.  Image courtesy Time-Scout Monitor Swipe-card systems, such as the Time-Scout Monitor, allow parents to set a programmed amount of time for each child to play games or watch TV.Kids run their cards through like a debit card, and once time expires the system shuts down. Much like the old-fashioned allowance, which taugh kids how to manage their money, this system nurtures time-management skills and creates an opportunity for the entire family to evaluate their freetime habits. The amount of time allowed should be a parent's discussion, but experts say it's important that the whole family be included in the discussion. Regardless of the measures you take, make sure that kids do their homework before beginning play, as well as spend adequate time outdoors with friends. “There are certainly some positives to (video game playing),” Storch says. “For many kids it’s really enjoyable. But moderation is the key."
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