🔵 Year 5 Responsible Gaming

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Aim

Today you will learn how to recognise when gaming becomes a problem and how offline activities can support your well-being.

Responsible Gaming Recognise when gaming may be becoming a problem and think about activities away from screens that help create a healthy balance.

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Be Inspired

Click the picture to explore Kieran's story from Caught In The Web.

Kieran loves online games, but gradually gaming starts to affect other parts of his life.

As you watch or read, think about this question: When does gaming stop being fun and start becoming a problem?

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Check It Out

Gaming can be fun, social and exciting. The important thing is making sure it stays one part of a balanced life.

How can you tell when gaming may be becoming a problem?

1. It takes over your time — You spend so much time gaming that you stop doing other things you enjoy.

2. It affects your sleep — Gaming keeps you up late or makes it harder to get enough sleep.

3. It affects your relationships — Gaming starts getting in the way of spending time with family or friends.

4. It affects your well-being — You are spending less time being active, creative, learning or relaxing away from screens.

5. You feel pressured — A game makes you feel that you must keep playing, buying or competing.

Make time for other activities

Take regular breaks

Get enough sleep

Spend time with other people

Think carefully before spending money

Remember: Responsible gaming does not mean that gaming is bad. It means making sure gaming does not take over the other things that help you learn, grow and enjoy life.

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Do It Yourself

Design a SPICE Balance Poster.

Think about all the lovely things you can do away from a screen. Your poster should show how you can create a balanced life with lots of different activities.

Your poster must include one offline activity for each part of SPICE:

S - Spiritual
Something peaceful, reflective or connected with nature.

P - Physical
Something active such as sport, walking, swimming or cycling.

I - Intellectual
Something that helps you learn, read, solve problems or discover something new.

C - Creative
Something such as drawing, music, cooking, making or designing.

E - Emotional
Something that helps you connect with family or friends, relax or look after your feelings.

Make your poster clear, colourful and easy to understand.

Stuck? Think of one activity you could do for each SPICE category. Remember that gaming can be part of your life, but it should not be the only thing you do.

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Extension

Ready to test your responsible gaming skills?

Are You a Responsible Gamer?

Play the TKA Responsible Gamer game and see if you can make the choices that help keep gaming fun, safe and balanced.

Think carefully about each situation. Some choices might seem tempting, but a responsible gamer knows how to spot when something could become a problem.

Your challenge: Try to make responsible choices throughout the game. Can you finish with a healthy gaming balance?

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Finished!

Take a moment to think about what you have learned.

Before You Leave...

How can you tell when gaming may be becoming a problem?

Why is it important to have activities away from screens?

What does SPICE help you think about?

Remember: Gaming can be fun, but a healthy life needs balance. Make time for people, activities and experiences away from your screen too.

Balance Your Gaming Garden

Now it is time to put your ideas about balance into practice. Play the Balance Your Gaming Garden game and think about how different activities can help you create a healthy balance between gaming and the rest of your life.

Final challenge: Click the picture to play. Can you build a healthy and balanced gaming garden?