Games can be addictive - But obsession is another thing.
The following article is for parents of teens who may be particularly concerned about videos and/or computer games. While in some of the articles we may sound like promoting extremism, we share the concerns of young people who tend to avoid other desires in life because of gaming activities to the point of withdrawing from society and snubbing other interests in life.
We will never encourage this type of behavior, and that is why I have taken the time to explain some of the symptoms of game stress and give advice on how to deal with it.
Signs of game obsession and how to deal with it
Identifying the symptoms of teen game compulsion is not as easy as one might think. It always begins with sowing the seed, and then the plant begins to grow. The problem with identifying the first stages of the game obsession mostly in the teens however due to lack of parental guidance it has started being in children of younger ages too.
By the time our children are 15 years and older, they have learned conflicting skills. So when we doubt their motives for playing a repetitive game, they may challenge our mental conclusions and make it a point to question our mistakes as parents.
Since no parent has ever really wanted to admit a mistake, we sometimes think that 4 consecutive hours in front of the screen is okay. After all, we spend that much time on a computer, phone, or transmitting data back and forth on the internet.
Be careful not to fall victim to rational youths. Video games can be addictive and, if left unchecked, can be counterproductive.
In the meantime, when you see your teen's grades drop, homework is gone, or social life is starting to decline, limit that gaming time of your child.
If you wait too late to limit game time, you may encounter an adult temper that you are not ready to handle (cursing, breaking things, stealing, running away from home, etc. At this point, the child is worried and will do anything to get his hands on the game controller.
Another symptom of anxiety is behavioral changes. A child who loves to play will lose patience with others, get angry quickly, and react to situations without really thinking about the consequences. If you have paid attention to the video and/or computer games, you will see that they need this kind of behavior to win or advance to a higher level.
Unfortunately, a young person who loves this type of violent game is actually being trained to react in the way described above. That’s why it’s important that as you get older, limit access to this type of entertainment and replace it with mind-boggling activities (such as art, music, theater, etc.) and expose your child to other non-violent pleasures (swimming, dancing, skiing, etc.).
There is a lot of debate going on about the impact video games have on today's youth and some of them can be sure to get your attention. As a teenager’s mother or father, you will do well with your child’s desire to “get his or her game” by keeping a close eye on unpleasant changes.
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