My Son Is Addicted To Video Games
In the field of video games, technology has advanced more every day and, therefore, its capacity for entertainment and fun is increasing. Some reflect reality in a fascinating way in terms of detail, without considering virtual reality games, and this creates a certain ‘addiction’. Many parents worry when they see that their children spend a lot of time in ‘other worlds’.
Video Games: Good or Bad?
Like so many other things in life, video games have two sides: one good and one not so much. However, we will list the positive aspects of this form of entertainment below for you to consider from now on.
Profits
- They stimulate the coordination between eyes, ears and hands ; There are even video games that require actions with the full body, so the need to move can be even greater.
- They exercise the imagination, as they open the doors to new worlds and endless new situations.
- They feed the ability to tolerate defeat and frustrations.
- They enhance logic and the ability to strategize and make decisions.
- Online or multiplayer games help encourage sociability in children.
Disadvantages
- They are one of the main causes of sedentary lifestyle.
- They can lead to violent behavior or aggressive language in children.
- They generate inattention to other more educational resources, such as books.
- They can lead to the isolation of the child or young person.
- There could even be an addiction to them.
When to worry about the child?
- He does not interact with other people, not even with children his own age.
- School performance suffers.
- He is so distracted that he doesn’t even bother to stop to check the time or meet his basic needs in a satisfactory way.
- Forgets important tasks or events due to playing.
- The child is bothered by being talked to while playing.
- Spend a lot of money buying games, accessories and new consoles; If he must earn it, he will show an unusual interest in accomplishing all the tasks that are imposed on him in order to obtain his reward.
What to do when video games are a vice?
Once we identify harmful behavior — even if it doesn’t become addiction — what do we do? The first and irremediable measure must be to set limits. Give him game schedules that he must respect at all costs.
On the other hand, you can also apply a household chore regime that you must complete in exchange for time and money to play. In this way, a sense of responsibility is fostered in him. However, as we pointed out before, it controls that its interest in meeting the demands is not excessive, to the point that it is only interested in money.
Another useful recommendation is to leave the console in a visible area of the house. In this way, you can be more attentive to the time he spends playing and his behavior while doing it. It is also good advice to prevent the child from playing hide-and-seek or choosing games with inappropriate content for his age.
Accompany him in the process
A common mistake is to prohibit or limit an activity to children without offering another to replace it. For example, if you tell your child to stop playing video games and don’t offer him anything else to do, he will interpret that you are fighting him just on a whim.
The best thing to do is try to come up with plans as a family, together. Afternoons of sports or camping can generate genuine interest on their part, but you have to be open to the options they propose. In fact, you might ask him what he wants to do.
Video games are not a detriment in themselves when the aforementioned signals are not present. During childhood, it can be a way of expressing your enthusiasm for something. As he grows and develops other interests, you will see him learn to manage his playtime in a different way. You can even see how he learns to incorporate the social sphere into video games, organizing game afternoons with close family members who share this hobby or with friends.
