Why Gaming Classes Aren’t Just Screen Time

When I tell people I teach online gaming classes, I often hear, “But why would parents pay for more screen time?”

And I completely understand that reaction. From the outside, it might just look like kids sitting in front of yet another screen, playing games. But what’s happening inside a social gaming class is something very different. It’s not just play. It’s not just Zoom. It’s a space where learners connect, grow, and genuinely enjoy being part of something.

Here are five reasons why this isn’t just more screen time.

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1. It’s social time, not solo time

The idea that gaming is isolating is often true when kids are playing alone or with people they don’t know. Maybe they’re jumping between games, sitting in silence, or chatting with strangers in a public server. It’s unstructured and unsupervised, and as a parent, that doesn’t feel great to watch.

In a social gaming class, it’s a completely different setup. Kids are playing together in a small, consistent group. They’re laughing, chatting, helping each other, and making plans in real time. It’s not the kind of silence you get when they’re zoned out. There’s life in it. They’re part of a group, guided by a qualified and experienced teacher who knows how to keep the space safe and welcoming.

It’s social time, just in a format that fits their interests.

2. It helps kids connect when other environments don’t

Not every child finds it easy to connect in traditional settings. Whether they’re shy, anxious, neurodivergent, or just overwhelmed by face-to-face interaction, it can be hard to feel part of something. In my classes, learners can come exactly as they are. After check in they can keep their camera off, choose whether to speak aloud or use the Zoom chat, and step into the group through their gaming avatar.

I’ve seen learners who barely spoke in week one end up running in-game events by week six. I’ve seen friendships form between kids in different countries who now play together outside of class, with their parents coordinating safe meetups online. For some, these classes are the first space where they feel seen, heard, and like they belong. It’s not just about the game. It’s about giving them a way in.

3. It creates a safe, moderated space for real interaction

A lot of gaming happens in open public spaces online, and parents are right to be cautious about that. There’s no control over who they’re talking to, what kind of language they’re exposed to, or whether they’re being ignored, bullied, or pushed around.

In my classes, everything takes place in supervised private servers with only the enrolled learners and myself. I host the games, I lead the voice chat, and I monitor how everyone interacts. It’s not just safe in the technical sense. It’s emotionally safe. Learners know I’ll step in if someone is dominating the conversation or if someone’s feeling left out.

They know what to expect each week and who they’ll be with. That kind of consistency builds trust.

4. It encourages creative play and deeper conversations

Lots of the games I use, like Bloxburg, Dress to Impress and Dandy’s World, are built for creativity and imagination. In some classes, we design and build towns together. In others, we roleplay characters with full backstories, personalities, and decisions to make.

These aren’t just silly side stories. They often open up bigger conversations. Like what do we do if someone’s being left out? What happens if a character makes a mistake? Why is our character too tired to go to school?

These classes allow for moral messages, big questions, and thoughtful discussions to come up in a way that doesn’t feel like a lesson. It feels like play. But there’s real learning underneath it.

5. It builds confidence in ways that actually matter

Confidence doesn’t always come from speaking in front of a classroom. Sometimes it comes from showing someone the house you built in a game, making a new friend in chat, or leading a team through a group project.

In these classes, learners have chances to share their work, get feedback, and feel successful in ways that matter to them. For some kids, that might be sharing a cool outfit they made for their avatar. For others, it might be hosting a roleplay or helping another player understand the game.

I’ve taught over 3,000 learners, and what I’ve seen again and again is that when kids feel valued in a space that reflects their interests, they start to show up more fully. They speak up. They reach out. They grow. And yes, it happens through a screen, but the results are very real.

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So if your child loves gaming and you're looking for a way to turn screen time into something more social, creative, and supported, you're very welcome to explore my classes. You can find a full list of what I offer right here on my website.