EXPLORING THE FUN AND EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES ON ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

MABELLE V. QUINES

In today's world, lots of elementary students enjoy playing games on the computer or tablet. Online games can be super fun, but it's important to understand how they can affect us. Playing online games can be a good way to have fun and sometimes learn new things. Some games help us with math, reading, and problem-solving. It's like having a playful teacher on the screen! But, just like anything, there are some things we need to be careful about. Spending too much time playing games can take away time from other cool activities like playing outside, reading books, or hanging out with friends and family. It's important to have a balance between playing games and doing other things we enjoy. Sometimes, people might get really into their games, and that's okay, but we need to remember that there's a real-world around us too. It's important to take breaks, go outside, and do different activities to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Also, when we play online games, we need to be good sports. It's awesome to win, but it's okay if we don't. We should always remember to be kind to others, whether we're playing a game or just having fun. Teachers and parents can help us make good choices when it comes to playing games online. They can set limits on our screen time, help us find games that are both fun and educational, and remind us to take breaks and do other cool things too. Online games are like a cool adventure we can have on our screens. They can be fun and sometimes even help us learn. But, just like in any game, we need to play it right – with balance, kindness, and remembering that the real world is full of awesome things too!

-oOoThe author is Teacher II at Sto. Niño Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga.