Online video gaming benefits
Online video games can support children’s learning while helping them develop key life skills. Explore how gaming can positively impact their growth and development.
What’s on the page
How can online gaming benefit children?
While video games are primarily a form of entertainment, with the right support and guidance from parents, they can offer much more. Gaming can spark creativity, strengthen friendships, and enhance strategic thinking.
It can also help young players develop perseverance to achieve goals, build resilience, and improve communication skills—particularly through online multiplayer games.
Here’s a list of gaming benefits that can positively support your child’s development:
Advice on how video games can make children smarter
A quick guide to online gaming benefits for children
Many games encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. Whether it’s strategising to win or designing their own world, kids pick up skills they can use in the real world.
Online gaming helps young people connect with friends or meet new ones in shared online spaces. It’s a fun way to bond over common interests, especially for those who might struggle to socialise offline.
Completing a challenging level or mastering a new skill can give kids a sense of achievement. It’s a chance to learn resilience and feel proud of their progress.
Gaming can teach children how to handle winning and losing gracefully. These experiences can help them grow into better team players and problem-solvers.
There are loads of educational games out there. From improving maths skills to exploring history, gaming can make learning fun and interactive.
Quick tips to get the best out of online gaming
Want to help children get the best out of their online gaming, here are some things you can do.
- Set boundaries: Agree on screen time limits and make sure gaming doesn’t take over.
- Stay involved: Ask them about the games they play and even join in—it’s a great way to connect.
- Check the content: Look at age ratings and make sure the games are appropriate.
- Teach balance: Encourage breaks and make time for other activities like sports or hobbies.
- Discuss safety: Chat about privacy and the risks of chatting to strangers online.
Learning and development benefits
Here is a list of ways online gaming can help children and young people develop their learning skills.
A great way to develop early learning skills in younger children
Studies show that certain games can help younger children improve early reading and learning skills, especially with support from parents and teachers. For example, educational games like Times Table Rock Stars, widely used in primary schools, and preschool apps like Endless Alphabet, make learning more engaging.
Additionally, connected toys combine physical play with digital interaction, offering a blended learning experience. Tools like Osmo use tactile pieces and a device’s camera to bring in-play action to life, bridging the gap between hands-on and screen-based activities.
Enhances memory, processing speed, and concentration
Immersive games that require strategy and problem-solving encourage players to absorb and remember information. Regularly engaging with these types of games can improve both short- and long-term memory, while also helping the brain process information faster.
Video games also captivate players’ imaginations, helping them focus on specific tasks and build perseverance to achieve their goals.
Improves multi-tasking skills
Games that challenge players to find items while battling opponents or navigating complex scenarios demand attention to detail and quick reactions. Research shows these activities can help young players develop strong multi-tasking skills.
Builds skills for future careers
Complex online multiplayer games teach players to think strategically and analyse risks and rewards. These games require quick decision-making and adaptability—skills that can easily translate to real-world careers in fields requiring problem-solving, analytical thinking, and strategic planning.
Encourages cultural awareness and perspective
By immersing children in virtual worlds and connecting them with players from around the globe, video games can expose them to different cultures and viewpoints. This can be a fun and interactive way for young players to learn about diversity and broaden their understanding of the world.
Physical and social benefits
Group play provides social benefits
Whether children are teaming up with friends in online multiplayer games or enjoying family-friendly apps like Heads Up in the living room, these games can foster stronger relationships through shared experiences. They also help improve social skills by encouraging communication and teamwork.
For children with disabilities, gaming can provide a unique opportunity to build friendships that may be harder to form offline, contributing positively to their overall development and sense of inclusion.
Promotes teamwork and builds confidence
Online multiplayer games encourage young players to take on various roles, such as leading a team or collaborating to achieve a common goal. These shared experiences teach children the value of teamwork while boosting their confidence as they learn and grow together.
Provides a fun way to stay active
Games like Pokémon GO and Just Dance show how gaming can motivate kids to get moving while having fun. With the rise of mobile gaming apps, children can now stay active on the go. Check out our list of active apps designed to keep kids engaged and moving while they play.
Helps develop mindfulness
A growing number of games and apps are designed to help children manage emotions and foster kindness, compassion, and empathy. Explore our list of wellbeing apps to discover tools that support mindfulness and emotional growth.
Provides a safe space to express worries
For some children, talking about their feelings in a virtual setting feels easier. Gaming can offer a safe, low-pressure environment for kids to express their fears and build emotional resilience.
Offers a new way to experience stories
Immersive games bring stories to life in an interactive and engaging way, sparking creativity and making key topics more memorable. For example, online safety games like Digital Matters help children learn important life skills through storytelling and play.
Makes learning topics meaningful
Schools increasingly use game-based learning to make complex subjects easier to understand. Whether it’s practising maths or exploring scientific concepts, gamified learning helps children grasp topics faster and more meaningfully by presenting them in an engaging, interactive way.
Why do children enjoy gaming?
his video from BBC Own it shows a young teen explaining his love for gaming
Gaming benefits children in a range of ways. Here are some key reasons why children enjoy it:
Video games offer the chance to explore new worlds, build incredible environments, and take on personas that aren’t possible in real life. This immersion sparks creativity and allows children to experience things beyond their everyday limits.
Many games provide vast, open worlds with no set paths or rules. This freedom of choice allows young players to explore at their own pace, much like an extension of the playground, where they can roam, discover, and create.
Games can unfold over time, offering an experience that builds and evolves. Just like a bedtime story that draws you in each night, the ongoing progression of a game keeps children engaged, comforting them with familiar goals while sparking excitement as they advance.
Online multiplayer games allow kids to connect with others worldwide, receiving real-time feedback and collaborating with friends. These interactions boost teamwork skills and help build friendships. Plus, many games offer family-friendly environments where everyone can enjoy positive online experiences together.
As players progress through games, they’re often rewarded with tokens, in-game currency, virtual trophies, and other incentives. These rewards help motivate them to keep playing and achieving new goals, providing a sense of accomplishment.
Games like Fortnite and Rocket League offer children the chance to compete against others for recognition and pride. With the rise of esports, some even pursue gaming professionally, turning their competitive spirit into potential career opportunities.
What are children doing while online gaming?
Many children enjoy watching others play video games, with Let’s Play videos—narrated gameplay often mixed with humour—being some of the most popular content on video-sharing platforms. Here’s why:
- To learn new skills
Watching others helps children pick up tips, strategies, and tricks for progressing in games, improving their own gaming skills. - To stay entertained
The combination of gameplay and commentary, often from popular YouTubers, keeps children engaged. They also enjoy getting to know the personalities of the gamers they follow. - To interact with others
Children often share Let’s Play videos with friends and discuss them. Live streams allow them to interact with both the streamer and other viewers, fostering a sense of community.
What to watch out for
- Adult language and inappropriate content
Some Let’s Play videos may include language or content that isn’t family-friendly. It’s a good idea to watch these videos together to gauge their suitability. For live streams, consider using YouTube Kids to find age-appropriate content. Channels like LearningWorks for Kids offer gameplay tips designed for children’s learning. - Passive screen time
While watching others play can offer learning benefits, it’s still passive screen time. Monitor how much time your child spends watching videos, encourage breaks, and set limits with parental controls.
Online gaming FAQ
Take a look at answers to some key questions parents have about online gaming to support your child.
Great games are those that both challenge and teach your child something they can use in the real world. But there is also value in the virtual experience. It enables children to prepare for a future where online and offline lives overlap. Like books, many games benefit young players’ lives because of their experience as a whole.
Take a look at family stories on AskAboutGames to get insight into age-appropriate games that will help your child do just that. Family-friendly games allow everyone to get involved and play together.
If your child is interested in esports (competitive gaming) or wants to contribute to creating the video games of the future, starting early and exploring the different job opportunities in the gaming industry is a great way to spark their interest. Beyond traditional roles like developers or streamers, there are many exciting career paths in gaming.
To help them explore what’s out there, check out resources like Indeed’s guide to careers in the gaming industry. This can give them a clearer picture of the diverse roles available and how they can work toward a future in gaming.
Here are some key roles in the gaming industry to consider:
Game Audio Specialist
Game audio specialists might record and edit voiceovers, compose soundtracks, or design sound effects. Some even capture real-world sounds to add authenticity to the game’s audio environment.
Game Performer
Game performers include voiceover artists, actors, and even athletes or stunt professionals who do motion capture work (using special cameras to record movement and create realistic character animations).
Game Producer
Game producers ensure that a game is completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard. The role can be managerial or creative, working closely with game designers and directors to bring a project to life.
Game Writer
A game writer creates scripts, backstories, and supporting documents to help players understand the game world and character motivations. They also work with audio specialists and voice actors to bring the dialogue to life.
Encourage children to play in communal spaces to share the experience in a family friendly way. This help you catch any problems like worrying content or too much screen time. Keeping video games in family rooms turns gaming into a normal part of family life rather than something separate or hidden away.
If children are older and would prefer to play in their bedroom, consider steering them towards keeping the tech in a shared space. In any case, keep the conversation going about their gameplay and make sure you enforce your agreed rules to ensure they stay safe while gaming.
Research shows children typically start gaming between ages 3-4, with boys averaging 4 hours of play a day and girls just over 2. While there’s no set age to begin, it’s important to manage the games they play to support their development.
Physical safety is just as crucial as digital safety. VR gaming, for example, can cause nausea, so it’s key to teach children what to do if they feel unwell. Prolonged gaming can strain eyes, so take breaks every 20-30 minutes and set up gaming stations to reduce physical impact.
For younger children, educational games can teach skills like reading and engineering. Monitor progress to track their learning. Choose family-friendly games, like Stardew Valley or Overcooked 2, to play together and help build essential skills.
For pre-teens, sandbox games like Minecraft or Roblox spark creativity by allowing them to explore and build new worlds.
For teens, immersive multiplayer games like Fortnite or Apex Legends require strategy and planning. Review these games together to ensure they’re age-appropriate, and discuss how to handle any issues that arise. Understanding PEGI ratings can help guide your choices.
Tips on how to choose the best games for children
With a large number of video games available for children, it can be overwhelming to figure out which are best for your child. We’ve created a checklist to help you choose games that will keep them engaged and support them in developing key skills.
If you have a game in mind for your child, do some digging about it to see what others think about the game and potential things you should watch out for. There are a number of sites like AskAboutGames that offer parents’ insights on games and other types of media to help you make a decision.
Use PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) ratings and App store ratings to get an idea of what type of content the game will have and decide whether the game is age-appropriate. It’s important to note that these are just indicators so we’d advise finding out more about the game through a review or other parents before giving it to your child. The Pegi App is a great way to get a view of the game’s rating.
Also, popular sites like Steam (a distribution platform for buying and playing games) do not have clear ratings so reviewing the games may be to only way to find out.
For younger children, you can get them started on free games available through web browsers. It’s important to note that some of these sites may have phishing or spyware so, googling for games to play on browsers can be risky. Sticking to reputable sites like Nickelodeon and CBBC is best as they offer a range of games that are suitable for a younger audience and feature their favourite characters. These games are also often focused on learning a skill or exploring a theme which is great for young children. You could also download free apps such as Lego apps or make use of systems like Nintendo Switch free games which are great for younger kids.
Consider your child’s hobbies and interests when choosing games to help keep them engaged. If they enjoy football, fishing, or racing cars, there are plenty of games that feature these themes. These types of games can also inspire real-world hobbies and activities, making learning and play more interactive and exciting.
To keep your child engaged and challenged, offer a mix of game types. Combine action-packed shoot ‘em ups with brain-teasing puzzles to encourage a range of skills. Take time to discuss the themes and content of the games so you can gauge their understanding.
Video games can be a great way to bring the family together, offering a fun alternative to board games. Choose games like Heads Up or Tricky Towers to make screen time enjoyable for everyone.
If your child has gaming friends, chat with their parents to share recommendations and concerns. Explore app store rankings and game site reviews to keep up with popular trends and find highly rated games.
Many games allow family members to play together, even when apart. These virtual games help stay connected and create shared experiences, no matter the distance.
As your child becomes more skilled, simpler browser games may no longer be exciting. Check-in regularly to see if they’re enjoying their games and suggest more challenging ones to keep the experience rewarding.
Use PEGI ratings and app store reviews to determine whether a game is age-appropriate. Remember, these are just guidelines, so it’s a good idea to read reviews from other parents before making a decision. The PEGI app is helpful for checking ratings. Popular platforms like Steam may not have clear ratings, so researching the game is essential.
Before purchasing a game, try a demo with your child. Studies show that children benefit more when parents actively join in, helping you better understand the game’s features.
Think about the costs involved, whether it’s a boxed game, a free-to-play mobile game with in-app purchases, or a subscription for online play. Be mindful of additional costs like extra controllers or subscription services (e.g. Xbox Live, PSN). Also, consider how long your child will play the game to ensure it’s a worthwhile investment.
Types of games available
Video games come in various genres, each offering a unique experience. Action games are fast-paced, like Super Mario. Adventure games focus on exploration and puzzles, like The Legend of Zelda. RPGs follow a character’s story, like Final Fantasy. Simulation games mimic real life, such as The Sims. Strategy games require planning, like Civilization.
Sports and racing games let you compete virtually, like FIFA and Mario Kart. Fighting games focus on combat, puzzle games challenge your brain, horror games aim to scare, and music games involve rhythm.
Battle Royale games like Fortnite are multiplayer survival games, while sandbox games like Minecraft let players build freely. MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online) offer large online worlds, like World of Warcraft. Each genre provides a different type of fun and challenge.
Healthy gaming top tips
In addition to making your child part of the process of creating clear boundaries on what games they can play, when and for how long, here are some more tips to help them stay healthy when gaming:
- Aim for a break every 15 to 20 minutes, even if it’s just looking away from the screen or going to get a snack.
- If they notice that they are starting to feel annoyed or frustrated this is a good time to take a break.
- When a game hasn’t gone to plan it’s helpful to give your child space and help them process why it was frustrating.
- This can lead to an understanding of emotions, as well as new strategies for how often they play and what they choose to play on.
- Playing games in the living room or a shared space can help keep you engaged in what they are doing and create opportunities to step in if you’re concerned.
- This will also make it more likely that you can play games together with your child.
- Help them understand that some people may not always be who they say they are in-game and could use their personal details to cause harm.
- If they are under 12, it’s probably best to limit online interactions to video games where the other players that they know in real life. Also, most social networks have a minimum age requirement which you can use to decide whether they should be using these.
- It can be fun to compete against others but remind your child to be a ‘good sport’ and only say things they would face-to-face to keep communications with others safe. Check out our top internet manners guide to help them.
- Encourage them to apply ‘digital civility’ principles by being compassionate, respecting others differences and seeking help if they need it or support others who may be experiencing online abuse.
- Games like Pokemon Go and others encourage kids to game on the GO to combine what they love with physical activity. There are also plenty of motion-sensing ‘active’ games such as Just Dance or Zumba that they could play. See our active apps guide for some more suggestions.
- Make them aware of how games are created, how they make money and why certain themes are featured in games so they have a more rounded view of the games they play
- Help them understand how games make money and how they are advertised.
- Make sure they know how to report and block in-game abuse.
- If they are playing multiplayer games, explain that if they see or hear anything that upsets them talk to you or a trusted adult to deal with it
- As well as staying entertained, playing games that challenge them and help them to develop life skills like problem-solving skills are a great way to benefit from their gameplay.