Gaming is more popular than ever, and it won’t be long before your kids start pestering you to buy them the latest console. Some parents are against video games because they think that it’s a distraction and a waste of time, but that’s not the case. Video games can be a great way to spend quality time with the family, and they are also good for inspiring creativity and improving cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should buy your child a games console right away without thinking about it because there are a few important things to consider.
The Cost
Before you decide on a console, you need to consider the cost because they don’t come cheap. A brand new PS5 will set you back £450 if you can even get hold of one. A Nintendo Switch is a bit cheaper, but you can still expect to pay upwards of £300. That’s a lot of money to spend when you are trying to balance the family budget. You also have to consider the other gaming gadgets you might want to buy as well. Parents often find themselves in a tough position where they want to make their child happy, but they can’t really afford a console.
If you find yourself in this position, consider an older console. Instead of a brand new PS5, why not pick up a refurbished PS4 instead? You can still play some great games, and it will be much cheaper. Alternatively, you could download an emulator that allows you to play old games on your computer. You can get some great gamecube roms from Gamulator so you can enjoy gaming with the family without the price tag. Even though your child might be disappointed that they haven’t got the latest console, you shouldn’t put yourself in financial trouble to buy a console.
Family-Friendly Games
When buying a console, you need to look at the games that are available. If you go for a Playstation or Xbox, there are some family-friendly games, but more of them are aimed at adults. You may be better off with a Nintendo Switch, which is more geared towards families. Before buying any new games, always check the PEGI rating to make sure that they are suitable for kids.
Parental Controls And Time Limits
Although there are some benefits to playing games with kids, it’s important that you limit their time and use the right parental controls to protect them online. Before you get the console, decide on what limits you are going to put in place and enforce them from the very beginning. If the rules are clear from the outset, you shouldn’t have too many arguments. Make sure that you know how to put parental controls on credit cards too, so the kids can’t accidentally spend all of your money on new games.
As long as you consider these things, you can make the right choice about consoles for your kids.
