Free Internet Games For Girls Harmful? Here's What Experts Say About Makeover Games Like 'Dream Date Dress Up'

Is your daughter fond of free internet games that allow her to dress up or change appearance? Are you familiar with "Dream Date Dress Up," a free online makeover game for girls?

A study done by experts at the University of the West of England sheds light on how free internet games for girls, which are heavily focused on appearance, can impact body image and self-esteem. It affects a young girl even if she's exposed to playing the game for just 10 minutes, per Medical Xpress.

The experts did a small study on a group of 8 and 9-year-old girls. With 40 participants each, one group was asked to play "Dream Date Dress Up," which has a girl changing her appearance to find her perfect boyfriend, while another group was asked to play "Penguin Diner," which was not about changing appearances. Both games are hosted on Friv.

After the game, the participants were asked to choose from a set of silhouettes of body figures that most represent them. The researchers noted that the girls generally chose bodies that are slim, but it's those playing "Dream Date Dress Up" that preferred a thinner body more.

Youngsters played Dream Date Dress Up, one of several appearance-focused games targeted at girls, report... https://t.co/ND1arzZBTT

— World Health News (@WorldHealthNews) June 22, 2016

Researchers believe that free internet games for girls that relate to makeovers promote body dissatisfaction and highlight that this should be a cause for concern. According to Dr. Amy Slater, a senior researcher in the study, the risk to this may lead to "lowered self-esteem, disordered eating and depression" when the young girls grow up, per Daily Mail.

Makeover games send out the wrong message to young girls that they need to focus on appearance in order to appeal to boys. Apart from "Dream Date Dress Up," free online games for girls like "Fashion Week Dress Up," "Selena's Date Rush," "Wedding Lily" and "Pin-up Facial Beauty" promote the same harmful message.

Experts say that parents need to be aware of the games their daughters are playing on free game websites, especially since these are quite popular. They also suggest improving regulations on these free sites and hope to open a dialogue with the game developers. The study's findings will be presented at the Appearance Matters Conference in London at the end of June.