It is no surprise that parents have a level of concern when they hear their kids shout, “I want to be a Fortnite pro when I’m older,” just to see them sit and play the game over and over. This concern is only strengthed when large news organizations run sensationalistic pieces, such as this recent piece from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The headline “My gaming addiction stops me having relationships” is followed immediately with a quote stating the interviewee can be playing for 6-14 hours per day.
Then there are the piles of concerns about how to keep kids safe online, and not many parents can admit they aren’t guilty of letting their kids watch YouTube, sometimes to discover that the innocent Peppa pig video is actually littered with murder, torture, and zombies.
So when a large not-for-profit organization, such as the British Esports Association, writes a nice guide on esports, it’s worth taking note of. The guide is a little bias because they run a service hosting esports events in schools. But it’s fairly well balanced.
The guide is beneficial to both parents and kids; it highlights paths to take a full career in esports, and how to stay safe online while covering everything in between.
Tom Dore, British Esports Association head of education, said:
Esports is constantly growing; even Farming Simulator has its own esports league. And as it grows, so do concerns. The World Health Organisation listed gaming addiction as a disorder in 2018. Influencer Marketing Hub has noted substantial growth in pretty much all aspects of Esports, from viewership to brand contribution.
The esports industry is growing exponentially around the world, but is still a relatively new phenomenon so it is not surprising that some parents don’t really know what it is, what its benefits are or how to best support their children who are getting involved with esports.
You can view the full guide here.
