
Encouraging Balance When Your Son is Addicted to Video Games
Video game technology seems to evolve by the month. Games that were cutting edge a few years ago, now seem antiquated. And teens are constantly on the lookout for the newest game or technology to use. We are just beginning to understand technology addiction and our society’s reliance on screen time. Most research on the effects of video game addiction has been limited to its association with real-life aggression, which is inconclusive. Some may argue that they pick up violent scripts from games, while others argue that people live vicariously through their characters and the outlet virtual aggression provides for feelings of anger; however, if your son is addicted to video games, he is probably spending more time on the couch than fighting on the street. While video games began as simple mind games and upgraded to social arcade games, researchers believe that the accessibility of video games through personal consoles and devices has changed the nature of video games and made them easily addictive.Technology Consumption Ingrained at a Young Age
More parents are introducing simpler video games early in their child’s lives as an educational tool as well as using them as digital babysitters. While girls are socialized to look up to princesses as role models, boys are introduced to superheroes who are usually featured in cult series or video games. It is common for young boys to bond over video games when they spend time together, while girls may be more encouraged to use their imagination. As the novelty of the availability of certain games has worn off, video games have improved their graphics and added more levels to be unlocked to keep consumers engaged. While many games are part of a series and upgrade every few years, a lot of games seem to have an unlimited amount of levels that ensure the user won’t get bored easily. Many parents assume their sons will age out of playing video games as they find other activities or explore various careers, but as video games are becoming more complex, the world of computer science is becoming increasingly advanced.Not All Games are Mindless
Video games provide hours of entertainment, but they also encourage problem-solving, motor control and dexterity, personal agency and cognitive flexibility, or the ability to take multiple perspectives. Many games are challenging and require higher-order thinking and role-playing rather than just repetitive movements. While many critics point out that people who are addicted to video games have a hard time focusing on other tasks, studies show some video games actually improve one’s ability to focus on certain details and filter out irrelevant information.When Does it Become an Addiction?
It is important to distinguish between excessive screen time and video game addiction. Someone who has a busy schedule may spend a limited amount of time in front of a video game, but they might spend an excessive amount of time thinking about the game and planning their next move. They might dream about their favorite game or have trouble falling asleep because of the urge to continue playing. They might be sad, anxious, or irritable when they are unable to play or might play in order to escape from negative emotions, such as depression and hopelessness. The most noticeable sign is excessive screen time, as it can be associated with isolation from others, loss of interest in other activities, and a decline in academic performance. Likewise, someone can spend a lot of time playing video games with friends and have minimal problems in other areas of their lives. Signs that your son may be struggling with gaming addiction include:- Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time
- Feeling bad when they can’t play
- Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good
- Not being able to quit or even play less
- Not wanting to do other things that they used to enjoy
- Having problems at work, school, or home because of their gaming
- Playing despite these problems
- Lying to people close to them about how much time they spend playing
- Using gaming to ease bad moods and feelings