In the modern world, esports is rapidly gaining popularity, especially among the younger generation. This relatively new form of sport raises many questions and concerns for parents. In this article, we will examine the key aspects of esports for children, including its varieties, positive and negative aspects, as well as practical recommendations for those whose children have decided to pursue this discipline.
Types of Esports and Their Features
Esports encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including sports simulators (FIFA), battle arenas (Dota 2), real-time strategies (WarCraft 3), puzzles (Hearthstone), technical simulators (Gran Turismo Sport), fighting games (Mortal Kombat), and shooters (Fortnite, Call of Duty, World of Tanks). Competitions in these categories attract impressive prize pools, amounting to millions of dollars, provided by major sponsors. For example, the prize pool for the Dota 2 championship in 2019 amounted to 34 million US dollars.
Age Restrictions and Gender Aspect
Esports is an area where athletes retire early, usually by the age of 30. Therefore, to achieve high results, it is important to start training at a young age. However, considering the potential negative impact on the developing body, most sections do not accept children under the age of 10. If a child’s goal is general development rather than reaching a professional level, training can be delayed until the age of 13-14.
There are no gender restrictions in esports – both boys and girls can successfully compete in any discipline. Despite the common stereotype of the “male” nature of esports, many girls achieve high results on par with boys.
Positive Impact of Esports on Child Development
Despite the skeptical attitude of some parents, engaging in esports can bring a child several significant advantages:
Development of analytical and logical thinking. During the game, athletes need to analyze a huge amount of information and make quick decisions, which contributes to the training of mental abilities.
Improvement of reaction and attention concentration. Success in esports disciplines requires increased focus and lightning-fast reaction to changes in the gaming situation. These qualities are useful not only in competitions but also in studies, and subsequently in professional activities.
Financial prospects. Winners of prestigious tournaments receive substantial cash prizes. For example, the Dallas Empire team won 1.5 million dollars in the Call of Duty championship in 2020, which amounted to 300 thousand dollars per player.
Career opportunities. Thanks to the constant development of the gaming industry and the introduction of new technologies, successful esports athletes can count on a promising career in related fields such as game testing, development, and others.
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Potential Risks of Esports
Opponents of esports point out a number of potential health risks for children engaged in this sport. The main concerns include:
Muscle hypodynamia due to prolonged sitting in one position at the computer. To prevent this problem, it is recommended to combine esports training with physical exercises.
Eye muscle strain caused by prolonged focused gaze on the screen and reduced blink frequency. Regular breaks and the use of moisturizing drops can help avoid this.
Significant time spent on training and strategy development. However, this factor also develops the child’s ability to plan their time and prioritize.
Scientific Research in the Field of Esports
With the growing popularity of esports, scientists have become actively studying its effects on the bodies and minds of children and adolescents. However, at present, there is no consensus in the scientific community about the benefits or harms of this phenomenon.
Some studies confirm the positive impact of video games on the development of thinking, reaction, and attention concentration. At the same time, other works point to the negative influence of esports on the psychoemotional state of athletes.
Psychologists tend to recommend esports to children with stable psyche and strong character, capable of withstanding high loads.
Although the risk of injury in esports is extremely low, professional players often encounter problems with the musculoskeletal system, such as tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow (“programmer’s elbow”), muscle compression in the back and neck. Following a training schedule and performing special exercises can help minimize risks.
The explosive interest in esports does not go unnoticed among children and adolescents. Many of them see esports not only as entertainment but also as a potential professional career. This is reflected in the growing number of children who want to start training and improve their skills in games. Ultimately, esports can offer unique opportunities for development, but only with the right and healthy approach.
