The Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center in West Chester is embracing the digital age with the launch of a new esports lab, the only one currently available through the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.
Created in partnership with Bucks County’s Metro Esports, the lab is set to open in September. The YMCA aims to provide a safe space for kids and teens to engage in competitive gaming while also addressing rising parental concerns about cybersafety.
The esports lab features 12 PC stations and three TVs connected to consoles like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. Popular games include “Fortnite,” “Minecraft,” “Roblox,” and “Valorant,” with age-appropriate restrictions for them.
Additionally, AI-software from Kidas and in-person human proctors are in place to monitor the risk of cyberbullying and online threats.
“What I’ve come to realize from parents is that they don’t understand the inner workings of video games but they know that they can come here and they know that their kids are safe because it’s a YMCA,” said Branch Executive Director Taylor Kassel.
Kassel emphasized the lab’s role in welcoming youth who may not participate in traditional sports. She highlighted programs that the lab offers, such as STEM coding, PC building, gaming tournaments, and more.
Read more about how the local YMCAs are helping kids stay safe while they game and bridge the media literacy gap to parents at WHYY.
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