Childhood Gaming Addiction

Technology is both a transformative and an unavoidable consequence of our modern day life. As adults we may have learned to manage our impulses with age and maturity, not every flashing advertisement garners our attention, however, children are the most susceptible to marketing schemes and the addictive nature of certain games. Studies have shown that games with a “gambling” system and the development of fixation around playing said game, shares many similarities with real world gambling addictions. A pattern we’ve noticed while treating many patients and parents who struggle with children’s lack of “video game self-control”, games with “In-App” purchases, microtransactions, and “loot boxes” bore the greatest resemblances to the similar serotonin induced thrill of gambling. Our strongest recommendations is for parents to monitor there children’s games and the amount they spend on them (compared to the time they spend outside or doing schoolwork) and steer them to games with a “strategy” or “problem-solving” basis. Multiplayer games can be further beneficial to your child’s social development as he learns team-work when completing tasks.

Symptoms and Bad Effects of Video Game Addiction

Obsessive behavior
Lack of Sleep
Lack of physical exercise
Other Physical problems
Social isolation
Having gaming as his only focus in life
Neglect of school activities and responsibilities
Lack of interest in reading and other hobbies that have educational benefit
Escaping life problems instead of confronting them

How to Address & Treat your Child’s Video Game Addiction

Address the issues with your child directly & help put their video game in perspective
Determine and agree of a reasonable time for your child to play in moderation
Set specific boundaries and be firm about it
Create consequences for not following agreed on boundaries
Make game time a reward
Track your child’s game time & the type of games they play
Use tools to set limits for the game time (most electronics have screen time restrictions)
Be ready for pushback from your child but remain firm
Discourage “gambling” games & encourage “strategy” games
Place games in a visible, public space where they can play out in the open in front of you
Encourage your child to spend more time with their friends in the real world
In a worst case scenario, you may have to make the child quit “cold turkey” and confiscate the games entirely
In further extreme cases, bring up this concern to therapists as early and decisive intervention is the best strategy