PROMOTING HEALTHY WAYS OF GAMINGEHYT operations on digital gaming

Salla Karjalainen19.2.2016

Gaming is an important part of children’s, youths’ and young adults’ media and popular culture

– and also their everyday life

Children’s and youths’ gaming in Finland

• 95% of children and youth (10-19 yrs.) play digital games at least once per month

• Boys start earlier and play more than girls, but the difference has been growing smaller

• An average of three hours is spent on games per week• The most popular form of gaming is casual games, especially on

mobile devices and social media• Not only children’s hobby:

• The average age of a PC gamer is 37 yrs. • Most games are bought by 30–39 year olds

Sources: Pelaajabarometri 2011 ja 2013, Lasten mediabarometri 2013

EHYT OPERATIONS ON DIGITAL GAMING

Best way to prevent gaming related harms:

To promote positive and healthy ways of gaming and

the constructive ways of discussing about it in the close relationships and in

the media

Game education• We have full-time empolyees and freelance trainers• Our trainers are gaming experts, that visit schools

(from kindergarten to upper secondary schools) around Finland to talk about games and gaming to students, teachers and parents

• We also educate social and health care professionals• We encourage positive gaming – gaming that

doesn’t cause problems – and give some tools to prevent gaming related harm

Projects

GAME EDUCATION- TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Tips for keeping gaming under control• Game for shorter periods in one

sitting, remember breaks• Schedule your gaming• Maintain a steady sleep cycle and

make sure to exercise, rest and do your other daily life responsibilities – gaming should not affect your daily routines

• Avoid the most hooking games• Take time for your friends and

other hobbies as well

Pelipäiväkirja (Gaming diary)• Keep up with the games you play and set

goals for gaming!• What did you play?• With whom?• For how long?• How did you feel like before?• What about after?

Currently only available in Finnishwww.pelipaivakirja.fi

THANK YOUSalla KarjalainenProject specialistsalla.karjalainen(a)ehyt.fip. +35850 514 7658