Are You Raising A Video Game Addict? Set These Rules ASAP

If you weren’t already concerned about the effect of video games on your kids’ health, get this: The World Health Organisation (WHO) just classified gaming disorder as an actual disease. It says people with the condition could see “significant impairment” in their personal, family, social, education, and occupational lives. Technology addiction, whether it’s playing games on smartphones, tablets, consoles or PCs, is a real thing in our Internet age, and we certainly don’t want our children to suffer from it.

WHO describes gaming disorder as being characterised by a “pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour” online or offline. It said gaming disorders include the following symptoms:

1) Impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)

2) Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and

3) Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.

Ask yourself some of these questions to determine if your child may be developing a serious video game problem. Do they play daily? How long for? More than three hours? Do they get angsty and restless if they can’t play? Are they playing and not doing their homework? Have they lost interest in other real-life activities?

The WHO also warns about “hazardous gaming,” which the organisation says “refers to a pattern of gaming, either online or offline that appreciably increases the risk of harmful physical or mental health consequences to the individual or to others around this individual”.

The idea is not to cut them off entirely. There are benefits to games – it can help boost creativity and cognitive skills. What’s important is to set rules and limits and be clear to the children about them. Review this check-list on how you can take back control of your kids’ game time…

Text: Good Health, Bauer Syndication / Additional Reporting: Sylvia Ong

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/parenting/9-rules-before-kids-play-smartphones/

Are You Raising A Video Game Addict? Set These Rules ASAP

1. Set A Fixed Daily Schedule

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Limit screen time to no more than 30 minutes each time – and stick to your guns on this. If your child has problems with stopping, give her advanced warning. For example, you can remind her she has five more minutes before time is up and that you will turn of the computer or remove the device.

2. Time Manage

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Allot an equal amount of time (if not more) for other non-gadget activities the family can do together, such as playing outdoors in the park or playground, going for a swim or reading with them.

3. Use It As A Reward

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Instead of offering it as a pacifier or a plaything, use the device to your advantage. In offering it only as a reward for a job well done, the device will be used as a motivator instead of distraction.

4. Stay Clued In

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Make sure you know what games and apps your child has downloaded. This is so you can ensure that they are age-appropriate and suitable. Games rated M18 and R21 for violence, gore and nudity should definitely be out.

5. Put Parenting Controls In Place

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Ensure online parenting controls are in place. This step will help ensure your kids are not exposed to inappropriate material online.

6. Pay Attention To Your Device's Settings

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Disable settings that might enable your children to download add-ons themselves. Kids should not be able to buy or download their own content without your consent and knowledge.

7. Play With Your Child

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Learn the games your kids are playing and engage with them so you understand what, if any, learning outcomes the app has.

8. Do Your Research First

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Spend a bit of time researching new apps and games. Also, refer to user ratings and comments from other parents before downloading them into your gadget.

9. Keep Passswords To Yourself

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Set up a private password for iTunes and Google Play to help prevent children from downloading apps freely without your permission.

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Are You Raising A Video Game Addict? Set These Rules ASAP

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