Can parents and children playing video games together level up their relationship?

Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong calls for new approach to supervise children’s gaming activity, after surveying families’ attitudes to video games

A Hong Kong survey has found a 20 percentage point gap in relationship scores between parents and children who play video games together and those who do not.

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong on Sunday urged parents to adopt a new approach to supervising their children’s gaming habits, encouraging families to take part in such activities together rather than just observing.

The group issued the call after conducting a survey of the experiences and attitudes of parents, young children and teenagers towards playing video games together.

“Instead of being an observer, or telling kids they should not play, parents should become participants and play with their children so they can know what they are playing and who they play with,” said Phoebe See Man-yan, the organisation’s coordinating secretary.

As part of its survey, the group polled 2,271 youngsters and teenagers aged six to 18 and 1,283 parents in their twenties, thirties, forties and older between August and November last year.

It also conducted in-depth interviews with 14 youngsters and eight parents in March this year to gather additional information.