Video game addiction is becoming more and more prevalent in society, especially when children discuss the latest consoles and games with their peers. Although your child may not appreciate having a finite amount of time on these systems each day, there are clear benefits for doing so. By limiting the amount of time a child spends using technology-based toys, you can make time for them to engage in other activities, especially those that promote personal growth, attainment, and socialization with others. Alongside limiting console and computer usage, you may also want to take into account their dependency on their cellphone, as this can also be addictive to children and adults alike.
Starting at a Young Age
By not allowing your child to use video game systems as and when they please right from their early years, you can help them to develop with it not being a central part of their lives. Looking at toys for boys age 3, for example, that do not involve a form of screen time can allow them to play with other age-appropriate items, and seek out other interests. This can make it a lot easier to curb the amount of tech time that they opt to have as they grow up, however, peer pressure and wanting to fit in may still cause some issues.
Teaching Moderation
While it is understandable to want to limit your child’s exposure to these systems, that does not mean that they cannot be used altogether. By learning this moderation as soon as possible, your child may be less likely to develop a video game addiction, which can severely hamper their attainment at school, social development, mood, and even sleeping pattern. A child who is able to play on a console, but then also be able to put it down and fully engage in other activities without longing to be back in front of that screen, may also be more likely to use moderation in other aspects of their life, such as diet, exercise, and even developing a positive work-life balance in adulthood.
Descaling Conflict
Particularly when trying to curb the amount of video game usage in older children, you may find that the result is a larger amount of conflict in your daily lives. Looking for ways to continue to communicate with your child, and show levels of patience, can help them to respond in kind. On top of this, you can also model the ideal behaviours for negative scenarios for your child, which may also teach them important socialization skills. Explaining the reasoning to your child, as well as finding resolutions that work for you both.
While some people may not feel that this form of addiction is as severe as that associated with smoking, drinking, or recreational drug use, it can be a good idea to take steps to prevent it from occurring. In doing so, you can hopefully avoid some of the more negative aspects associated with video game addiction, allowing your children to indulge moderately, but also engage with the other aspects of their lives.
