The Manningham YMCA has developed a video games program to help balance the benefits and risks of video game playing for children. The program began in 2012 and has expanded to include presentations, workshops, gaming events, and a website to provide information and resources on using video games positively. The program founder, Steven Dupon, has shared the framework with other YMCAs internationally and many have expressed interest in collaborating on the project.

1. Manningham YMCA
The Video Games Project
Steven Dupon

2. 97% of 6 to 15 year olds play video games
Gaming is the most popular entertainment for young people

3. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
The global video game market is bigger than the
music and film industry combined
(in billion U.S. dollars)
music
film

4. WORLD TOP TEN COUNTRIES
4456
52
%
%
9
%
12
21
16 3220 %%
%
%
11
(%) showing in circles is sales per capita
SPENDING MOST ON COMPUTER GAMES
%

5. 0
20
40
60
80
100
age 0 - 1 age 1 - 2 age 3 - 4 age 4 - 5
use a computer
or tablet
use the internet
use a mobile
phone
tv in own room
owns a games
console
Kids start playing younger and younger
85% of 4 year olds use a computer or tablet

6. What is the impact of video game playing on our children?
Let’s look at the benefits first and then some risks and concerns

7. Gaming can develop cognitive skills
• Problem solving skills
• Decision making skills
• Memory
• Analysing challenges

8. Gaming can improve your emotional wellbeing
• De-stress after a busy day
• Gaming is fun, having fun is good for you
• Games can regulate your mood effectively
• Games designed to improve mental health

9. Video games are a form of art and provide
an avenue for creative expression

10. Video games can be educational
• Games are used in classroom settings
• Games specifically developed to have a positive impact
on people or community
• Games are used widely in rehabilitation

11. Unfortunately there are also some concerns and risks

12. ADDICTION
VIDEO GAME
• Between 2 and 10 % plays obsessively and excessively
• Co-morbidity with mental health issues
• No consensus on definition of video game addiction

14. IN-GAME GAMBLING is not regulated, has unrealistic odds and
makes gambling look like harmless and innocent fun

15. Real money betting is becoming
more prevalent in gaming

16. Many popular games
on the mobile platforms
are clearly GAMBLIFIED

17. Many games feature inappropriate content
VIOLENCE

18. RACISM

19. SEXISM

20. CYBER-BULLYING

21. In 2012 Manningham YMCA started a program that finds
a balance between the positives and the negatives

22. After a year of study
Manningham YMCA published
‘the video games report’.
The report provides
recommendations on how to
use video games in youth
work

23. Soon after we started
delivering presentations and
training workshops to parents,
teachers, professionals and
young people.
In 2014 we presented to over
2000 people.

24. In 2013 we ran our first
video games event.
400 people attended a
night which provided safe,
social and positive gaming
experiences

25. In 2013 we started skill
development groups.
We teach kids with
Autism and aspergers
how to develop games

26. In 2014 we launched
www.videogames.org.au
The website provides
information about the
impact of video games on
young people

27. This is the Framework
for the Video Games
Program.

28. Invitationfor
collaboration

29. Steven Dupon presented the video games program at the
YMCA World Urban Network in November 2014.

30. If you’re interested and wish to receive more information on what
collaboration can look like
steven.dupon@ymca.org.au
Many YMCA’s expressed interest in collaborating on this project

31. www.videogames.org.au
Thank you !
Steven.dupon@ymca.org.au
@vg_org_au
+61 3 9848 5400