Gaming addiction is a real problem, especially among children. I have seen it for my own eyes where a child of my own has slowly fallen in to the spiral of computer game addiction, and it is far from a pretty site, especially when there’s a loved one involved. I am writing this to help those that are in a similar situation to I was. I understand how hard it can actually be to watch your child become a mere shell of their former selves and seek to help anyone having to suffer watching their child suffer.
Causes
It is argued that a major cause of game addiction is the need to escape reality and find solace in fantasy worlds where the very players become heroes that are looked up to or in a lot of cases, feared. Despite feeling that this is sometimes a contributing factor I firmly believe there’s often other reasons that cause casual gaming to become habitual.
I have wrote before of game developers and designers cleverly enticing children to play as much of their games as possible, as often as possible. I was a gamer myself a few years ago and looking back in horrible realization, I remember Xbox 360 achievements and PlayStation 3 trophies being awarded to players for playing their game for a certain amount of hours and in some cases awards for “playing for 10 hours straight”. These trophies and achievements are highly coveted in gaming circles and the onus is on gamers to earn them before they can say they have beaten the game fully, I understand that the makers need to make their games appealing and even enticing, but I also think a little responsibility should be shown towards the teenage audience. Granted, the games do often have age certificates but it oft seems these are there purely for legal reasons as parents seldom adhere to them. Quite often is the case where parents are oblivious as to what actually goes on in these games and it is highly recommended to seek out further information before allowing a child to play them.
In the technological world we live in it seems to have become the norm for teenagers to take to their rooms and play games every waking minute. This should be avoided at all cost as the game then becomes an integral part of the child’s life and, from here, the more they play, the further in to the abyss they will slide.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms to look out for while deciding if your child has game addiction. These can change dramatically from child-to-child, but here are some key symptoms to keep and eye out for:
- Reclusive behavior: When your child stops showing an interest in socializing in the conventional sense, but wants to lock themselves in their room and sit on his or her computer instead it could well be a sign of addiction. It is important to encourage them to go and see friends, join an extra-curricular club or even take up a new hobby.
- Anger: Anger is a big one to look out for. Playing games for hours on end can easily inspire ire in the player. Does your child get angry when you try and limit their gaming time or cut it short suddenly? This is a telltale sign of game addiction.
- Insomnia: Addicted gamers often play far in to the night. Even when you have time-limits in place, it takes the brain quite some time to unwind after a heavy gaming session and can render the player unable to sleep.
- Agitation During Play: Try and talk to your child while they are playing a game. Do they look at you? Do they respond? Do they seem agitated?
- Lack of Concentration: If your child is struggling to concentrate at school, in college or at home it could well be down to too much gaming or gaming addiction. Computer games stimulate the mind to the extent of players not being able to concentrate on much, even when the computer is off.
How Can You Help Your Child?
Watching your child suffer game addiction can be a depression and often frustrating experience. It is so easy to just want to take any gaming privileges away in order to help, but this is not advised. There’s quite a lot you, as a parent, can do to help. Here’s a few ideas:
- Cut Down Screen Time: Like any addiction, stopping a habit dead can be counter-productive. Instead, cut their time down to a few hours a day.
- Have a Family Night: Having a mandatory family film night or board games night will encourage your child to interact with family members and set aside their control pad, even if only for a few hours a week.
- Encourage Your Child to go Out to Friend’s Houses: Yes, they may well be playing games while there, but they will be doing so in real social surroundings.
- Find a More Relaxed Game for Them: More often than not it is the fast-paced gameplay that draws a player in to addiction. Use this G2A coupon to try and find a more relaxed game. G2A have quite a lot of games that require periods of time where the player needs to wait before playing again. these would be ideal.
- Find Them a Hobby: Show your kid that there’s more hobbies than gaming. If possible, buy any equipment they need. You never know, they may pack their controllers away and continue with their new-found, wholesome hobby.
- Be Firm: Be firm with any new guidelines you set in place. An addicted gamer will do all they can to get out of anything that keeps them away from their computers.
Summary
Gaming addiction can be a soul destroying infliction for you and your children. Keep a keen eye out for any of the symptoms listed above and try not to worry. With a little persuasion and patience you can help your child understand what is happening and work together to amend. It is so easy to fly off the proverbial handle, shout, snap and in some YouTube viral cases, destroy computer equipment but not the best way to approach the situation as it can alienate your child pushing him or her further in to their dark world.