Why you should play video games with your kids | Hannah Boquet | TEDxSioux Falls

Key Concepts:

• Digital native youth
• Esports (competitive video games)
• Inclusivity in esports
• Skills gained through esports (leadership, teamwork, communication, strategy, handling anxiety/stress)
• Connection through play
• Shared experiences in gaming
• Bridging generational gaps through video games

Introduction:

The speaker begins by humorously highlighting the challenges of connecting with teens and pre-teens, contrasting the ideal with the reality of communication and potential conflict. She emphasizes the rapid growth of children and the desire to maintain connection during this phase.

Stepping into Their World: Fortnite as a Bridge:

• The speaker, a mother of digital native youth, describes her initial foray into Fortnite to connect with her sons (then 10 and 12).
• She recounts her initial struggles with the game mechanics, humorously describing her disorientation and reliance on her sons for help.
• Example: Her son building a structure to heal her character and another crashing through it in a banana costume.
• Despite her initial ineptitude, the shared laughter and the experience of her sons teaching her the game fostered a deeper connection.
• She learned about their communication styles and the connections they made with each other while playing.
• This experience provided a unique way to connect with her teens through play and shared learning.

Esports: More Than Just Games:

• The speaker defines esports as competitive video games, including examples like Fortnite, Mario Kart, Rocket League, and even chess played with computers.
• She emphasizes the importance of calling them "esports" rather than "electronic sports" to maintain credibility with younger generations.
• She highlights the sanctioning of esports as a high school activity in South Dakota.
• She argues that esports provide valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, strategy, and the ability to handle stress.
• Data: 80% of students participating in school-sanctioned esports in South Dakota had never participated in other extracurricular activities. This suggests esports reach students who might otherwise be disengaged.
• She emphasizes the inclusivity of esports, noting that age, background, and ability are not barriers to participation.

Addressing Concerns and Finding Shared Experiences:

• The speaker acknowledges parental concerns about communication with strangers in online gaming spaces.
• She argues that participating in these spaces allows parents to learn and guide their children in navigating them safely.
• She emphasizes the potential for joy and shared experiences within these spaces.
• Example: Using Fortnite as a way to introduce her children to her significant other. The game provided a low-pressure environment for interaction and allowed her to observe his interactions with her children.

A Generational Connection: Drawing from the Past:

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about her own childhood experience with video games, recalling the excitement of receiving a Nintendo 64.
• She describes how playing video games with her father, who was typically strict, allowed her to see his playful side.
• Example: Her brother's story about their father skipping work to play Halo with him.
• She emphasizes that her father chose to connect with them through video games, even though he didn't particularly enjoy them.
• She draws from these experiences as a mother, prioritizing playing video games with her children despite her busy schedule.

Saying Yes: Unexpected Opportunities and Connection:

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities, even when they seem unexpected.
• She recounts how her initial experience with Fortnite led to her involvement in researching and developing esports in Sioux Falls.
• She co-led South Dakota's first all-ages free esports competition.
• She highlights that her journey started with the desire to connect with her sons.

Conclusion:

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that connection is always worth it, even when it involves stepping outside of one's comfort zone. She reiterates that her journey began with wanting to connect with her sons and that saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities led to positive outcomes. The best unexpected benefit is that her kids think she's cool.