Summer is here, the pools are opening, the grills are fired up, and America’s pastime is in full swing. For many of our teens, it means it’s time to shut the blinds, close the bedroom door, put the headset on, and fire up the gaming system. Recent studies have shown that a large percentage of teens are playing video games.
I’ve spent several years working in social services with youth in the behavioral health system. One of the most common complaints is that kids are spending too much time on video games. There is even talk of video game addiction being recognized as a mental health disorder.
I’m not here to take a stand for abolishing video game systems, but recognizing that it can easily spiral into an addiction or socially isolating activity, will make you think about the amount of time the devices are on. Believe it or not, there are actually some benefits to video games.
How Video Games can be Beneficial
Make Learning Fun- It can be a bore just listening to someone lecture to you and expect you to retain what they are saying. Some educational types of video games can engage kids and help them to gain a better understanding of the concepts being taught. The colors, shapes, and characters help create a visual experience, which is one type of learning style that works best for some individuals
Playing Together- It’s ironic that an activity that can be socially isolating, can also help bring people together. I remember how fun it would be as a kid to go over to a friend’s house and play video games together. It can also be a fun activity to do together as a family.
Learn about Technology- We live in a world that continues to make advances in technology. Many kids that are involved in video games develop an interest in computers and technology. This could help fuel a passion, which in the future could lead to a lucrative and successful career.
Improve Thinking Skills- Many video games help kids to learn how to solve puzzles or problem solve to figure things out. This can help develop logical thinking in our children. Some games enable kids to react quickly, which can help with making quick decisions, and the ability to process new information instantly.
Coping- Video Games can be just a fun activity that kids enjoy, which can allow them to reduce stress. Kids can get a sense of happiness when the master a game or just get immersed in the action. We all need things that help us to feel enjoyment in life.
When can we recognize that our teen has a problem?
So, even though there are some benefits to video games, it’s when they become used excessively, then the problems start to arise. We may be asking ourselves how much is too much? I don’t know if there is a definitive answer to that question, but rather it’s something that a parent needs to decide for their kids. I’m a big believer in balance and moderation in all things. With that being said, examining how your teen is doing in other areas of his/her life can be an indicator of whether or not the amount of time being spent on video games is too much.
Psychguides lists some of the emotional and physical addiction signs posted below.
Emotional Symptoms of Video Game Addiction
Some of the emotional signs or symptoms of video game addiction include:
- Feelings of restlessness and/or irritability when unable to play
- Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next online session
- Lying to friends or family members regarding the amount of time spent playing
- Isolation from others in order to spend more time gaming
- Physical Symptoms of Video Game Addiction
Some of the physical signs or symptoms of video game addiction include:
- Migraines due to intense concentration or eye strain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse
- Fatigue
- Poor personal hygiene
As parents what can we do?
As parents, sometimes we can feel helpless when it comes to getting our kids off of video games. Maybe sometime along the way, we lost some of our control and now our kids are gaming at all hours of the day. We can become empowered again as parents and create structure for our kids.
Here are a few ideas to try this summer:
1. Brainstorm– Have a conversation with your teens about their interests. Find out some of the things they like and support them by being involved. Encourage them to explore new opportunities or things that will challenge them. Look for ways to promote social interactions like religious youth groups, sports groups, clubs, classes, etc. Plan a family trip or activity.
2. Limit Time – Set limits on the amount of screen time that your teen is able to access. Have a conversation with your teen about what you both feel is an appropriate amount of screen time. Having a mutual discussion about this allows your teen to buy in and feel more invested. You are still the parent and can establish ground rules to allow for balance for your teen’s well being. If things get out of control, shut it down. It may be beneficial to take the devices out of the room and in a more centrally located place in the home.
Teens: Life can be a bore and it’s easy to turn to the electronic devices to fill that void.
1. Be Bored– I drove my mother crazy asking her “what is there to do,” over and over again. She’d respond by telling me I could help out around the house, which ended up driving my crazy. Sometimes being bored can lead to thinking outside the box or self-reflection that can propel us into things that we never thought we were capable.
2. Bargain– How about if you trade an hour of gaming time for something else? I’m sure your parents would be thrilled if you decided that you were going to read for the same amount of time that you were gaming or doing some work around the house. It will also help you to feel more productive and you may even learn something new.
3. Create– Turn your love of video games into something meaningful. Instead of just playing video games learn how to create video games or computer programming. You’re gaming time could lead to a rewarding career. Check out Codakid
In conclusion, it’s important to recognize the signs of when your teen may have a problem spending too much time with the video games. Helping your teen to recreate balance in their lives, while still allowing them to enjoy video games in a healthy manner will help your teen to avoid potential harmful mental health effects of problematic video game use.
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