How to Stop Kids' Video Game Addiction?

With the advancement of technology, video games are becoming more accessible to children. As parents, we all worry when our children become too addicted to video games and neglect other important activities in life.

This article will begin by analyzing the causes and signs that lead to children's gaming addiction. It will then summarize 5 practical ways to prevent children from becoming addicted to video games and ensure that they maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why Are Video Games Addictive?

Do your kids waste several hours while playing video games and you want to know why are video games addictive?

Well! The primary target for many game developers is to make their games entertaining, and most kids enjoy them, although, for some, it transcends to an addiction.

Lets discuss the factors that make video games addicting!

Escapism or Social Escapism

Video games serve as a way to get out of real-life issues. People can get into a character in the game and forget about reality, which makes them happy and very relaxed.

Especially this escape is very useful for children who feel overwhelmed by academic pressure.

Social Pressure and Peer Influence

It is oftely seen that kids feel the need to play because their friends do, and they do not want to be the odd ones out.

That's why multiplayers are designed so that the players are pushed to keep pace with the rest of the players.

Also, in such communities, there can be aspects of doing better than others, which create a sense of belonging or status ties within the game.

This can result in video game addiction to kids because players are pressured to retain their social ties and status.

Games are Designed to be Addictive

The game creators use tactics like frequent rewards, leveling up, and challenging for the sake of retention of gamers. There is also a scientific reasoning behind these strategies.

For example, these features activate a part of the brain ( release of dopamine ) responsible for feelings of reward and causing the individual to feel good.

That's why, the brain, which is now used to that dopamine, begins to ask for that activity again.

Absence of Satisfaction in Real Life

Video games compensate for an individual feeling of dissatisfaction in the real world. People who have problems such as insufficient social and career/personal achievements use video gaming as a substitute.

Vulnerability due to Individual Factors

There are specific individual characteristics like impulsiveness ( action without thinking ) and genetic predisposition, which enhance an individual's chances of developing a gaming disorder.

Moreover, the American Psychological Association found that individuals who are suffering from mental disorders ( Depression, stress) are more resort to video games to find relief, which makes them more susceptible to addiction.

The Signs and Symptoms of Video Game Addiction

• Inability to reduce gaming.
• Ignoring important people and obligations in life.
• Changes in mood and irritation when not playing games.
• Decreased academic or occupational performance
• Playing games again and again more than the time intended.
• Lying, stealing, and other immoral behaviors to play games.

What Are the Consequences of Video Game Addiction?

Video game addiction may have various long-term and short-term negative effects on your kids or adults' mental and physical health. Let's have a look at them!

Physical Effects of Video Game Addiction

• Migraines
• Poor diet
• Eye problems
• Become overweight
• Feel numbness in hands, fingers, limbs
• Become less active, which leads to sickness
• Pain and inflammtion in hands, fingers or lims

Physiological Effects of Video Game Addiction

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Social withdrawal
• Feelings of desperation
• Suicide attempts
• Insomnia (sleep disorders)

Moreover, some other effects may include difficulties with school or work, social withdrawal, low levels of attention span and concentration, or money loss due to purchases in games.

How to Stop Kids' Video Game Addiction?

If you are also concerned about your kid's mental and physical health but are confused about how to stop video game addiction? Dont panic! Here, we are going to share some workable tips with you.

1Set An Example

Parental styles have also been identified as having a major effect on children's habits. Because children are copyguide of their parents.

So, when you self-impose limits on your screen time or engage in other phsical activities, only then you may foster good behaviors in your children.

2Pay Attention to Your Child's Needs

Responding to your child's emotional or psychological needs is one of the main aspects of creating healthy connections.

Giving attention to your kids allows you to detect reasons contributing to excessive gaming, such as boredom, stress, or a lack of social interaction.

A study published in Child Development added that children who perceive their parents as supportive and understanding are less likely to exhibit negative behaviors. Such a method assists in directing your child to other constructive activities.

3Implement Parental Controls for Gaming

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , introducing regular time limits on screen use decreases overindulgence in games and builds positive patterns.

AirDroid Parental Control can track gaming activities, set video game time limits, and block game apps and game sites on your kid's phone to balance your kids' online and offline activities.

4Encourage Your Child to Participate in Various Non-Video Game Activities

Increasing the number of the child's interests will facilitate less use of video games. That's why you have to ask them to participate in sports, try out some art, or any other activity that is likely to interest them.

As reported by the Journal of Adolescent Health's findings, such a multitude of activities ensures children acquire various skills and thus do not become fixated on any one thing, including gaming.

5Consider Seeking Treatment

If all the above-mentioned tricks don't seem to work, then more help may be preferable. You may use antidepressant drugs like bupropion for video game addiction treatment.

This drug affects the brain's reward system and reduces cravings for games. However, it is not suitable for all. In addictive gaming, mostly therapy or counseling may help resolve these underlying issues.

Research published in Psychiatry Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for video game addiction is more efficient since it modifies how an individual copes with stressors.

Moreover, consult a mental health professional to seek to overcome addiction and adopt healthy habits.

FAQs About Video Game Addiction

Can Video Game Addiction Be Cured?

Yes, video game addiction can be treated to some extent through behavior modification, a change in the way of life, and support from family members.

The professional intervention helps address issues that cause excessive gaming and reframes the addiction towards moderation.

How Long Does It Take To Quit Game Addiction?

Overcoming video game addiction is a process that is bound to take some time – a few months, a year, or more.

Fighting video game addiction comprises reducing playing time and trying to solve underlying problems with consistency and support.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, to cope with gaming addiction problems among kids, firstly, it is essential to know why games are so engaging.

Secondly, identify the video game addiction signs and symptoms; and thirdly, understand what the adverse consequences bring.

Finally, as the term Addiction describes, your kids are beyond reasoning, so you need to enforce hard actions like Airdroid parental control, using which you can see, limit, and even block addictive games.