Straightforward Advice to Arm Your Child Against Gaming Addiction

Many parents find that taking a negative approach in managing their children’s play and internet use will likely backfire. So what’s a parent to do?

It’s a good idea to equip your child with strategies to help them avoid the pitfalls of excessive gaming and strengthen them against the risks of gaming addiction. These strategies are also great for helping them grow into mentally and physically healthy, well-adjusted adults. And it turns out, these methods tend to be more effective.

Why Negative Tactics Don’t Work

It is a common belief among parents of children who are not addicted to gaming that changing a child’s behavior is as easy as taking away their device. But it’s not that simple. Many parents with severe gaming addictions fear their children’s aggressive behavior if they suddenly restrict their access – and even if the results are not too extreme, it will not work.

Parent Chrissy Stillwell said of her efforts to hide her son’s iPad: “This is not a sustainable approach. This does not dampen the desire to play video games. In fact, this deficiency increases appetite. It makes everyone feel bad.”

A better approach is to have a comprehensive strategy around video game use that includes policies regarding screen time and encouragement of other positive aspects of your child’s life, and stick to them. If you are confused about how to do this, consider consulting a gaming addiction expert or a counselor specializing in gaming addiction.

The Importance of Resilience

Adolescence and young adulthood are very important developmental phases. According to the World Health Organization, “Half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 and three-quarters by their mid-20s… If left untreated, these conditions will severely impact a child’s development, their educational attainment, and their potential to live a fulfilling life and productive. .”

Young people today face many mental health challenges, many of which are internet-based. Knowing this, it’s important that we give them the tools they need to successfully navigate the digital world while keeping their drive in check. Ultimately, the younger generation must have a way to adapt to their life circumstances and deal with their problems without using gaming as an escape.

Helping your child develop impulse control not only means they play less – it also has beneficial results for their lives overall. Young people who have better self-control and ability to manage stress enjoy more respect from their peers, more meaningful relationships with their communities, better decision-making abilities, and a lower risk of alcohol and drug addiction.

Simple Techniques to Help Your Child Avoid Gaming Addiction

Raising independent, adaptable, and confident children starts with a holistic approach to their overall health. Here are some techniques to encourage positive behavior that you can try at home:

Replace Play with Constructive Activities

Regardless of whether gaming appeals to you personally or not, gaming is extremely important to your child. When thinking about activities that can support gaming on an ongoing basis, it’s helpful to recognize what needs they currently fulfill regarding gaming:

Mental Stimulation

Video games are designed to give gamers a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They can achieve this in the real world by having a bigger goal to achieve or taking up an interesting new hobby and setting goals around it.

Relaxation

Online games also give children the opportunity to take a break from the outside world. Healthier ways to do this might include doing a sport they enjoy, reading, listening to a podcast, or talking to a friend.

Socialization

Leaving the world of multiplayer gaming means leaving behind some gaming friends – when this happens, it’s important to cultivate real-life relationships. Meetups, clubs, groups, sports, spending time with family, and going out with friends are great ways to do this.

Gaming withdrawal often leads to intense boredom. It’s a good idea to choose some activities that fit each of these categories to help stave off discomfort until the withdrawal period has passed, which takes about three weeks.

Grow Their Awareness

Mindfulness training eliminates most of the anxiety of children who calm themselves by playing games. In an overstimulated world, knowing how to take a moment to enjoy the present moment is a critical skill. Research shows that mindfulness helps us feel more connected, more compassionate, and more at peace internally.

Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting for hours. Your child can experiment with different meditations that may better suit his or her learning style, such as guided imagery, musical meditation, walking meditation, and tai chi.

Reframe Challenges and Instill Positive Beliefs

Being a balanced adult largely means viewing challenges as learning opportunities. We all suffer, and we all make mistakes – learning healthy attitudes toward less than ideal situations starts when we are young. Use examples of your child’s struggles as teaching moments, and help them practice forgiveness for themselves and others. Ultimately, this will result in their higher awareness.

In the bigger picture, we should always teach our children how to be kind to themselves, help others, have loving friendships, and be grateful for what they have. These practices don’t just make the world a better place; they also help your child strengthen their emotional resilience.

Emphasize Good Nutrition

The food your child eats plays a big role in how he feels. Excessive gaming drains their mental and physical strength – in fact, malnutrition is a common side effect of severe gaming addiction.

Nutritionists recommend a balanced diet that includes lots of plant foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. This doesn’t mean your child has to become a vegetarian, but they should pay attention to the type and amount of food they eat. Inflammation due to food allergies can also affect his mental condition, so make sure your child does not routinely consume foods that are bad for him.

Encourage Exercise

Physical activity increases our endorphins, helping us to regulate ourselves emotionally. Children who exercise regularly experience increased focus at school, reduced stress, and an overall better mood. The US Department of Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week and 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week.

Get Professional Help

If you’re confused about how to get your child to stop playing games, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The Edge’s young men’s program has partnered with Game Quitters, the world’s largest online gaming addiction help community, to provide a gaming addiction treatment program designed specifically for young men. Our program includes digital detox, individual and group counseling to help your child reduce their desire to play and meditation training to provide them with techniques for mindful internet use.

Contact us today to find out how we can help.