We already know that even the most devoted parent needs a little time to themselves now and then to rest and recharge. But the question here is whether online gaming is the right kind of activity to provide this.
To answer this question we’ll look at both the ups and downsides of online gaming as a hobby for dads and assess whether it’s a good choice for a family man.
What is online gaming?
Before we get into the pros and cons of online gaming it is important to recognise that it’s a broad term covering a wide variety of activities from playing classic video games to massively multiplayer online games (mmos), battle royale games, first-person shooter games, card games, casino games and casual games.
Online gaming is a good hobby for dads
Several points suggest online gaming could be a great hobby for dads.
It can be a great way to destress
The destressing element of online games has to be one of the most compelling arguments supporting it as a great hobby for dads. After all, being a parent is stressful, and taking a little time to escape and have some fun can be truly refreshing and invigorating.
It can be cost-effective
One of the most convincing reasons that online gaming is a great hobby for dads is that if you choose the right type of game it can be very cost-effective. For example, fun browser games like solitaire can be played completely free. Many come with a wide variety of game options too, so you can choose from a selection of ways to play solitaire as well as switch to other games whenever you feel like it. All for free!
It encourages social interaction
Another benefit of choosing online gaming as a father is that it can be a great place to be social and meet new friends. Indeed, many games include chat functions, as well as online groups where you can meet like-minded people, and even join forces to progress further in the game.
It can be done together as a family
Last, of all, one of the things that suggests online gaming is a great hobby for dads is that it’s an activity that can be done together with other family members. For example, gaming systems like the Nintendo Switch have a specific family focus which allows people to play together, even at a distance online, and share the experience of their favorite game.
Why Online gaming might not be a good hobby for Dads
Now we know all the positives of taking up online gaming as a hobby for dads, it’s time to look at whether there are any objections. Indeed, there are a few that are worth considering that we will cover below.
Not all games are suitable to play with kids
First of all, if one of your arguments for playing online games as a dad is that you can do so with your kids, you’ll need to remember that not all online games will be suitable for this purpose. For example, some will contain adult themes, violence, and gambling that you will not want to expose your child to.
Some games can be addictive and take you away from your family time
Another point to remember is that some games can become quite addictive, and we are not just talking about gambling games. The problem with this is that you can find that playing such games ends up taking up all your time and taking you away from being present for your kids.
Some games can cost you a lot of money in bets or in-game purchases
Last of all, some online games can end up costing you a lot of money. One kind of game that is known for this is the ones that include in-game purchases. These games often allow you to level up faster by paying for extra in-game currency, and equipment which can really add up over time. However, you can avoid this problem by not connecting your account to the game you are playing and committing to leveling up manually.
Another type of online game that can end up costing you a lot of money is casino and gambling games. After all, there is no guarantee that you will win, and it can be very easy to get carried away and bet large sums of money in the comfort of your own living room. However, you can prevent this from happening by only playing free-to-play casino or setting and keeping to strict limits games.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, as long as you avoid the pitfalls above, online gaming can make a great hobby for dads!
