Video Gaming: Hobby or Addiction?
It comes as no surprise to parents that excessive video playing can affect a child’s behavior and emotions. However, it may come as a surprise that the World Health Organization (WHO) is now classifying “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition.
What is gaming disorder?
The WHO is recognizing that uncontrolled video gaming has symptoms that have a lot in common with other compulsive and addictive disorders.
Gaming disorder may be defined as: A lack of control over video games with an increased priority to “gaming” over other interests and activities despite negative consequences.
According to the WHO, it is believed and often overlooked, that part of problematic gaming is the unrecognized result that it can lead to severely adverse behavior. Parents look at playing video games as something they need to set limits on but not something that can become “out of control” for them and their child.
Signs of Video Game Addiction in Children
Signs to consider when uncertain if your child is just passionate about video games or if there is a deeper more concerning issue that may require the assistance of a psychologist or behavioral health professional are:
- Inability to reduce gaming despite effort
- Loss of interest in other activities and hobbies
- Lying about video game usage
- Increased weight gain
- Poor personal hygiene
- Poor impulse control
- Worsening or appearance of new ADHD-like symptoms
- Limited social interaction
- Foregoing sleep to play video games
Not all gamers will exhibit these behaviors and the WHO requires 12 months of problems to qualify for the diagnosis of video addiction. Parents should monitor game play and seek assistance before the year mark if they think there is a more serious problem at hand. Check in with your child often.
How Parents Can Help With Video Game Addiction
When parents begin to notice problems with a child's gaming, it can often be difficult to control those issues. Children can respond with extreme anger when adjusting to the new reality. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if feelings are normal for their age or when there is a cause for concern.
Setting boundaries that encourage digital health is important and includes use of all digital devices that can be used to game, i.e. smart phones, tablets and laptops. Tips that can help include the following:
- Establish “no technology” times. For many families this includes dinnertime and before and during bedtime and extends to use of all digital devices
- Limit technology by balancing it with not-tech activities. This doesn’t need to include time spent completing school work, but it should include phone, computers, IPads, video games or watching TV. Encourage physical activity and creative play.
- Try a tech-free day. Pick a day during the week that works best for your family and try putting devices away for a solid 24 hours. This helps break every one of the tech habit and can foster creativity and connection.
- Take technology out of the bedroom. Research has shown that technology can disrupt sleep. Keep TVs, phones, tablets, video games and laptops out of bedrooms to promote better sleep, which can ultimately help reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety.
- Promote digital safety. Help children make decisions that keep them out of harm’s way
- Promote digital etiquette. Parents encourage politeness and this should extend to use of devices. I can be considered rude to use digital devices when interacting with others face to face.
Trust your instincts. Get help if you are concerned about your child. Treatment is important because it can improve outcomes now and later in life.