Reshma Ravishanker
As popular game PUBG Mobile’s Indian counterpart Battlegrounds Mobile India has been made available for download over the weekend (early access), experts feel that restricting the number of hours of play is a better option than a blanket ban for children.
Battlegrounds Mobile India by Krafton, a South Korean video game holding company has been launched into the Indian market with several restrictions for children and an evident change in the in-game pop-up warning users to be conscious that this is only virtual. Notifications warning users not to play the game for very long periods of time has also been enabled besides an age check for children.
With early access being given to players since Thursday, there have been over a million downloads of the game on the Google Play store. “Krafton Battlegrounds is not a real-world based game, yet a survival simulation game in the virtual world,” a notice reads on logging in.
Even as the maps and user interface remain the same as in PUBG Mobile, phrases used in the game have been changed for the Indian audience. For instance, the phrase “killed” has been replaced by the word “finished” and “entering the virtual world” has been specified at the start of the game. Audio-visual warnings that a player must play responsibly, take frequent breaks have also been included.
It may be recollected that in India, there were several reports of children having splurged on buying special features in the game without parents’ knowledge and indulging in violent activities after being addicted to the game. Dr Kannan Gireesh, child and adolescent psychiatrist, founder, CEO of Live Life Education believes that not letting a child play could further push children to find means to access and parents must allow them to play, but with time restrictions in place.
“Children are already exposed too much to screen-time because of online classes. Irrespective of what game the child plays, she must be asked to take breaks, exercise the eyes and also have limited hours of play,” said Dr Gireesh.
Here are guidelines for parents to follow while letting the child play :
- Time check: Restrict playtime to 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends. Divide the weekend sessions into 40-45 minutes each in the morning and evening.
- Blink break: Prompt the child to blink at least 15-20 times after every 20 minutes. This helps prevent dry eye, eyesight problems and excessive starring.
- Safe distance: It is common for children to get the phone very close to the phase as they indulge in playing. Keep a watch on the distance between the phone and the eye.
- Reality check: Talk to children often and reinforce that this is only virtual and far from reality.
- Non-gaming time: Giving children activities that are not related to gaming on devices is important. This gives them time to unwind and minimises screen time.
- Bedtime ban: Avoid giving access to the child an hour before hitting the bed. This improves their sleep cycle and ensures calmer unwinding.
- Purchase restrictions: As the game comes with easy payment options to buy accessories, clothes and other features, parents must avoid storing ready data of credit or debit cards, CVV or online transaction passwords at the reach of children. Avoid keeping pre-filled data for any online transaction.
- Watch out: Keep a watch to see if the child has become unusually dull, is showing a withdrawn behaviour, disturbed sleep cycles or showing an introverted behaviour. Such children must be talked to, game time minimised and counsellor help sought if need be.
- Who must avoid? Children who are predisposed to addiction, have attention deficiency must avoid playing the game.
Also read: Saving children from digital addiction