The overall impact of this project shows just what it is that keeps most viewers watching gaming content on YouTube. That it isn’t just obsession, or stress relief that keeps them watching, as most suggest. This study suggests that there is, in fact, a social and mental factor to watching gaming content on YouTube. To stay in the loop on certain games, some need to watch videos of people playing those games to understand. Of course, watching the same YouTuber as a close friend builds a bond between them as well.
Another being to simply improve themselves on that particular game, or even to merely laugh at the silly commentary of the youtuber themself. The differing techniques and skills of the respective gamers give more options for the viewer, making it more enjoyable for them as a whole. Not only that, but they also aid in helping viewers get through certain levels in games. If there is a section that the child is having a difficult time on, then they can pull up a video and mimic them, getting past the level and being able to progress further.
Some recommendations for parents are rather simple. If you are worried about your child, don’t deny watching game videos completely, but monitor what they watch and even set a time for how much they are allowed to watch. This will not only give you some control and sensor some mature content, such as curse words, but will also give you something to talk about with your children. This will not only help you connect with your child, but you may even find some that you enjoy as well.
Another thing you can do as parents is to watch a few of them yourself, on your own time, to try to see it from their perspective. Then you can further deepen your conversations, and even give some recommendations to your children as to what to watch. This will aid in connecting with them, giving you more to talk about than just the weather or something mundane to them, and will help you learn the language of gaming. You will, after watching and understanding some of the gaming videos, be able to speak in a way your child could understand, and connect you with not only them, but their friends who share similar interest, building and even stronger bond.