NGO Warns of Traditional Play Displacement by Video Games: 'A Solitary and Unsupervised Experience'

The organization Educación con Rumbo has issued a stark warning regarding the growing dominance of video games in Mexico, asserting that they are replacing traditional forms of play and fostering solitary, unsupervised digital experiences for children. This shift, they argue, poses increasing risks to the physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being of young Mexicans. The data is alarming: more than half of the country's children spend at least two hours daily immersed in video games, with nearly seven out of ten doing so with little to no adult supervision.

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In Mexico, play has ceased to be a formative activity related to the environment, coexistence, and the integral development of childhood to become, increasingly, a solitary and unsupervised digital experience.

This phenomenon is unfolding in a hyper-connected environment. With over 70% of the population aged six and above using the internet, and this figure soaring above 90% for those aged 18-24, the digital landscape is pervasive. The video game industry itself has seen significant growth, consolidating children as its primary consumer base. Educación con Rumbo points to a critical gap: the Mexican basic education system is failing to keep pace with the digital age, lacking the urgency and depth required to address these evolving challenges.

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more than half of the child population plays video games for at least two hours a day, while almost seven out of ten do so with little or no supervision.

While acknowledging that video games can potentially enhance skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, the organization emphasizes the dangers of excessive and unregulated consumption. Links to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity are well-documented. Furthermore, the digital realm exposes minors to risks like grooming, a serious concern affecting millions of young internet users in Mexico. The World Health Organization's recognition of 'gaming disorder' as a mental health condition since 2019 underscores the gravity of the situation.

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The basic education system in Mexico is not responding with the urgency or depth that the digital environment demands.

From our perspective at El Universal, this is not merely a technological issue but a societal and educational one. The institutional neglect is palpable as the digital environment outpaces public policy. While other nations are implementing measures like restrictions on mobile phone use in classrooms, Mexico faces a regulatory vacuum. This impacts basic education, leaving teachers ill-equipped to handle students exhibiting reduced attention spans, heightened anxiety, and unregulated digital habits. The call for updated educational policies and robust digital citizenship training is therefore not just timely, but essential for safeguarding the future of Mexico's youth.

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The WHO recognized electronic game use disorder as a mental health condition in 2019.