Online gaming has become a widespread phenomenon all around the world. And it takes far less time than one can imagine to turn into addiction. Like other addictions, this too is driven by emotional upheavals or problems, feelings of loneliness, lack of belongingness or low self-worth or self-esteem. Individuals suffering from these concerns may therefore shift towards games because they provide interactive environments that allow individuals to experiment with parts of their personality, they can be more vocal, try out leadership roles, and create new identities. The problem becomes when these younger players rely upon these new online personas and the distinction between what is real and what is a fantasy becomes blurred.
Look out for the Warning Signs
Recognizing signs for gaming addiction can be tricky. However, it is important to be able to recognize these symptoms in order to help the individual. Here are certain signs and symptoms that you can watch out for:
- Preoccupation with gaming: Gamers usually focus on the game or keep thinking about it, even when engaged in other activities. They are often absent-minded and lose their concentration on the task at hand. They begin to miss deadlines, neglect school/college work or social activities, delay assignments, etc.
- Loss of interest in other activities: Interest in hobbies and other activities that previously brought pleasure dwindles as gaming use skyrockets. Individuals become more fascinated with living inside the game and nothing else matters to them.
- Lying or hiding gaming use: Lies about screen time and what one is doing on the computer take a forefront when individuals spend hours and sometimes days p;laying video games. They often disregard personal hygiene, sleep and food as they become engrossed in these virtual worlds. Students tell their parents that they are doing their homework, spouses tell their family that they are using the computer for work, and friends will make up excuses for why they cannot go out-all to find more time to play the game.
- Social withdrawal: As the gaming addiction increases, once outgoing individuals become withdrawn from friends and family. They prefer to make friends online rather than socialize. People who were once special to them become less important. In some cases, gamers are introverts who have trouble making social connections. Therefore, they turn towards gaming for acceptance and companionship.
- Defensiveness and anger: Gaming becomes a need and therefore, addicted individuals become defensive when anyone questions their gaming hours and turn angry (and sometimes violent) when forced to go without it. Partners may argue with each other, sons or daughters may become angry, irrational or violent. All that they can think about getting back to the game and they become angry and bitter at anyone who threatens taking it away. This may be because games provide individuals with a celebrity-like status as they acquire certain items and points. This power and recognition create a drug-like “high” that is difficult to let go.
- Usage despite consequences: Gaming addicts often want to be the best at the game. In order to achieve that, they may have to participate in quests, some of which take hours to finish. These individuals become obsessed with the need for recognition and power, despite the unpleasant consequences. Among adolescents, they may fail out of school, lose a scholarship, break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend, and ignore their basic hygiene just to be online. Among young adults, they may lose a job or a relationship, but they remain loyal to the game.
What parents can do to help?
As gaming addiction develops, adolescents and young adults may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trembling hands, restlessness, and obsessive thinking or fantasizing about the game. Relationships in the real world may be neglected as those in the virtual world increase in importance. Academic or job performance is also likely to suffer.
In a two-parent household, it is critical that both parents take the issue seriously and agree on common goals. Discuss the situation together and if necessary, parents must compromise on their desired goals so that when they approach their child, they will be coming from the same page. If parents do not, a child will appeal to the more skeptical parent and create division between them. It is important for parents to learn effective intervention efforts that support but not enable addictive behavior.
Setting limits
Time limits should be set by parents and not the adolescent or young adult. These limits should be clearly defined and even in case of arguments or fights, be adhered to. As a parent, setting limits will help control playing time. Software is even available to help monitor and control their use.
Resting tired eyes and muscles
Encourage your child to take brief eye-focusing breaks every 20 minutes to prevent eyestrain. Have them look up from the game and focus on something in the distance for several seconds. While they do it, encourage her to get up and move around for a minute or two to relieve muscle tension. These posture breaks will also help remind a child there is a world beyond the video monitor.
Push for computer games
Encourage your son or daughter to play educational or informational computer games. Various computer games also help improve hand-eye coordination and also improve concentration and other higher-order cognitive processes.
Change the power source
Video games often provide a sense of power and thus, individuals continue to play them. However, there are other positive sources to help them feel powerful. It is helpful for parents to look for interactive activities that give a child power through participation and learning. This can be achieved by engaging in a favourite sport, mastering a musical instrument, playing challenging board games like chess, among others.
Source problem
Sometimes, gaming addiction could be a result of poor school or job performance, which invariably affects an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. They may retreat more into the game to cope with negative feelings about themselves. Therefore, it is important for parents to recognize the core reasons for poor performance and then look for solutions to tackle that problem at its source instead of condoning substitute ways of dealing with the frustration.
Gaming addiction in youth is often a symptom of deeper emotional struggles rather than just a lack of discipline. Parents play a vital role in identifying the warning signs and intervening with empathy, consistency, and structure. By understanding the underlying needs and redirecting them toward healthier avenues of self-worth and connection, families can help their children reclaim balance and thrive both online and offline.
Effective parenting involves setting limits with empathy and guiding children toward healthier offline activities. With the right parenting approach, youth can overcome gaming addiction and thrive.
Photo Credits:
First image: freepik
Second image: freepik
References
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Online gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A review of empirical research. Journal of behavioral addictions, 1(1), 3-22.
Young, K. (2009). Understanding online gaming addiction and treatment issues for adolescents. The American journal of family therapy, 37(5), 355-372.
Sakshi
About the author
Sakshi is a clinical psychologist with a deep passion for understanding human behavior, a strong drive for research, and a keen eye for psychological intricacies. Committed to continuous learning, she seeks to explore every facet of psychology, from theory to practice, to better support and empower individuals. With a curiosity that fuels her pursuit of knowledge, she strives to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, making psychology more accessible and impactful.
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