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How to Prevent Children from Developing a Mobile Gaming Addiction

By Robert Lear posted 08-19-2020 06:06 PM

  

Mobile gaming addiction has been officially recognized by the World Health Organization as a mental health condition. The problem that this creates for parents is to be able to identify when healthy enjoyment of mobile gaming becomes unhealthy. 

There is nothing wrong with playing online games – as with any other activity, it is a question of balance. When a child starts neglecting social relationships, exercise or schoolwork to play games or turns to games as a way of avoiding difficult issues, it could be a problem. Here are some ways to help your children to achieve a healthy balance in their lives and prevent them from becoming dependent on mobile gaming. 

Establish guidelines

Any excessive behavior on your part, such as banning them from playing mobile games, will be counterproductive. There is some research that shows playing mobile games can help to improve problem-solving and more. Rather set firm guidelines and enforce them. 

  • Set limits on how long your children are allowed to play. There will be countless times when they try to push the limits but you should not give in. Take a cell phone away if necessary and make it clear that you will only return it if the limits are respected. 
  • Do not allow them to have tech in their rooms after lights out. Using their smartphones in bed will mean they battle to fall asleep and may not get enough sleep. 
  • Find creative ways to allow games time but balance it with outdoor activities and physical exercise. 
  • Make sure that games are appropriate in terms of content and age. You can use parental control software, SpyFone app, that allows you to track contacts and apps installed on the phone. You can log in and view data 24/7 from a private control panel for free and see whether your children are following the rules. 
  • Reward your children with game time for doing chores, completing homework or spending time outside.   
  • Notice how your children interact with their devices and games. If they are becoming aggressive or irritable, you may have to reduce game time.

Signs of overuse

Signs that your child may be getting too dependent on gaming include:

  • Talking incessantly about a game, playing for hours and getting angry when made to stop. 
  • Neglecting daily needs, like food or sleep or personal hygiene.
  • Neglecting all other hobbies and interests. 
  • Seeming preoccupied all the time. 
  • Not socializing with peers. 
  • Not engaged with or achieving in school. 

If your children are becoming too dependent on mobile gaming, talk to them about it. Explain that it is not that mobile phones or mobile games are bad and enjoying them fine but that there is fun in doing other things too. Tell them how important it is to have balance in their lives and why not having this balance can make them feel depressed and isolated. 

Mobile gaming addiction

Addiction to mobile gaming is only diagnosed if the behavior pattern has lasted at least 12 months and has caused difficulties in many areas of functioning, such as socializing, education and personal hygiene. Studies suggest that mobile gaming addiction only affects a small percentage of all people engaged in it. 

Rather than panicking about mobile gaming addiction, be present in your children’s gaming world. Play games together, help to set healthy limits and encourage your children to find a healthy balance between various activities. If you start this approach at a young age, you will keep gaming habits safe and sensible.  

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