Flight Simulators

If you are new to parenting, and your child is old enough to play video games, we have some information about gaming we believe you need to know. We are HiTech Creations, and back in 2000 we introduced our online, exciting  combat simulator, Aces High. We’ve been going strong ever since, and with twenty-four years of gaming experience, we feel we have seen enough to qualify as, for lack of a better term, experts in the field of gaming.

Thus, we have a few things worth noting, things which will hopefully help you as you traverse the mine field that is parenting.

A recent study

A recent study of American adolescents reported that eighty-six percent gamed, with 32.9 percent gaming about every day and 24.9 percent gaming about every week (Giordano et al., 2022). A substantial number of adolescents in the study also reported watching other people gaming; almost one-quarter (25%) of participants said they watch others game about every day (Giordano et al., 2022).

Given the popularity of gaming among adolescents, parents are often left asking questions like “Is my child’s gaming a problem?” “How much gaming is too much gaming?” and “How do I keep them safe?” Below are important considerations and suggestions for parents of children or teens who game.

What to look out for

  1. Do your homework on the games they play. What is its rating (e.g., Everyone, Teen, Mature)? Be informed about violent content, about sexualcontent, and about foul language in the game. Check if players can interact with each other ( a mine field) and if in-game purchases can be made.
  2. Know how to use parental controls.Gaming companies have been working to address harassment, hostility, and safety issues. There are now many ways parents can control how their child games, such as managing communication between players, enforcing time limits, restricting access based on the rating of the game, and limiting or prohibiting spending money on the game.

Parents need to consider their options and make informed choices. For example, do you want your child to communicate with all the other players? Only communicate with approved players? Or no communication with others at all? Do you want your child to be able to spend real currency on the game? If so, how much? How long do you want your child to play in one sitting?

  1. Understand the risks of gaming, like player toxicity.Gaming is not all good or all bad; it has potential benefits and potential risks. It is important for parents to be aware of all of them to make informed decisions. For example, one potential risk in multiplayer online games is hostility or toxicity in player interactions.
  2. Understand the risks of gaming, like predators.Another risk of online gaming or multiplayer gaming is the reality that some individuals enter virtual spaces with the intent of harm. Without creating undo fear, it is important for parents to help foster common sense among their children and teens, help them to be “street smart.” For example, parents can teach children about online masquerading, in which a person presents themself as someone they are not (e.g., an adult masquerading as a child).

Final thoughts

Obviously, we think gaming is a wonderful thing, pretty much what you would expect from a game manufacturer. However, we are also very aware of the problems associated with gaming and, as parents ourselves, we are aware of the problems parents face.

When in doubt, be vigilant.

Aces High leads the way in the flight sim gaming field. Try our free two-week download of Aces High.

You won’t be disappointed. Strap on your flight helmet and fly the skies with Aces High, the leader in combat fligh simulators.

Flight Sim Screen Shots