Parenting Perspective 

Highlight Teamwork Over Aggression 

Many popular games reward aggressive strategies, which can encourage a mindset of simply defeating others. To balance this, parents should emphasise the importance of teamwork. Remind your child, ‘A real win is not just about your score, but about how well you supported your team.’ Encourage them to use positive and supportive language in their chats, such as ‘good try’ or ‘let’s work together on this next time.’ 

Reframe ‘Winning’ and Praise Team Effort 

Shift your praise away from individual statistics and towards their collaborative efforts: ‘I was really impressed with how you supported your teammate,’ or ‘It was great that you stayed calm when your friend made a mistake.’ Introducing fully cooperative games can also help them to experience the joy of succeeding through unity. By reinforcing these values, you help your child to understand that good character always matters. 

Develop Character and Strengthen Relationships 

This approach allows them to enjoy competitive play while developing values that strengthen their character and their relationships with friends, both online and off. 

Spiritual Insight 

Cooperate in Righteousness, Not Aggression 

Islam provides a clear framework for interaction: we are commanded to cooperate in all things that are good and righteous, and forbidden from cooperating in acts of sin or aggression. This principle can be beautifully applied to teamwork in games. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Maaidah (5), Verse 2: 

‘…And participate with each other to promote righteousness and piety, and do not collaborate in the committal of any sin or moral transgression…’ 

Believers Strengthen One Another 

The prophetic tradition uses a powerful analogy to describe the relationship between believers. Like bricks in a wall, they should support and strengthen one another. This is the essence of teamwork and a core value for a Muslim. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, 2446, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.’ 

A Chance to Practise Islamic Values 

When you connect the idea of teamwork in a game to the Islamic values of cooperation and mercy, your child begins to see that true success is not about aggressive domination. They learn that supporting others is a more valuable goal. This transforms even a competitive game into a practical opportunity to exercise unity, respect, and good character.