How to Deal with Video Games Addiction

On average, teenagers use 15 hours everyday in playing video games. And yes, there is now a medical term for this: Video game addiction. The addiction of most teenagers to video games has become disturbing and medical personnel have tried figuring it out. Video game addiction is an excessive use of time for video gaming. If you have tried being addicted to video games then you know it is real.  Even when there hasn’t been any diagnosis for such addiction yet, there has been evidence that people using video games are facing very intense consequences.

Video games provide excellent quality. It has very detailed graphics, perfect animation and twisted story lines that appeal very inviting to the teenage audience. With the latest additions to video games such as better titles, greater challenges and better sound features, you can’t be surprised why people get hooked up. Sooner or later, your child might choose to stay indoors and play the latest video game rather than going outdoors and socializing.

Yes, maybe not all gamers are addicted to video games. Some gamers may play 10 hours a week and still balance gaming with their studies, family, friends and other priorities. But for the others, video gaming has become uncontrollable. Studies show that about 10 to 15% of teens meet the criteria of the World Health Organization for being a video game addict. As they get too attached to video games, they may neglect most of their obligations like studies and family.

Studies show that normal non-addicted children use the internet for two hours a day. This may be quite impossible to do especially in teenagers but it’s something to take note of. Always remember that in the past generations, even with the Internet, children still found a way to be entertained. What can you do to stop a person’s gaming addiction?

Follow these tips below:

•    Get him/ her outside. Whether he / she likes it or not, that person should get some fresh air. Encourage him / her to engage in sports or go biking around the park or at least just enjoy the neighborhood.
•    Limit. Give the person an estimated time use for video gaming. He will have a hard time following the schedule but time will work it out. Use the extra time for him to attend to his other obligations like school, friends, work or family.
•    Family time. One good cure to every type of addiction is quality time for family. Let them know you support him in his endeavors. Turn the TV off and try talking things over. This will get him engaged to socializing.