So how much is too much gaming?  That’s a great question, and one that does not have an easy response. It may be easy to see how 5-6 hours of video games/media time on a regular basis is not healthy for a child; however, it may be a healthy, therapeutic release for a child to play 2-3 hours on a weekend after they have just interacted with their peers, engaged in a sports activity and completed all their homework.

 

The American Psychiatric Association is considering adding a new disorder called “Internet Gaming Disorder” into the diagnostic manual. If this does occur, individuals who  have at least five of the following characteristics will have an “Internet Gaming Disorder”:

1) Preoccupation- thinking about video games frequently, even when not playing

2) Withdrawal- Feeling restless when not playing

3) Tolerance-  A need to play more games or more power games in order to maintain excitement

4) Reduce- Failure of attempts to reduce video gaming

5) Giving Up Other Activities- a reduction of other activities

6) Continue despite problems- continued dependence on gaming, despite the problems associated with gaming

7) Deception- Lies about the amount of gaming

8) Escape Mood- Plays games to reduce or escape stress

9) Risk- Risks the loss of relationships or employment due to gaming

 

This definition is not without controversy. Some argue that many gamers are psychological well-adjusted, but they may meet at least five of these characteristics and be falsely labeled as having a problem. Whether or not one can consider excessive gaming a type of disorder that should be included in the diagnostic manual is debatable; however, it is clear that excessive gaming is not healthy if it interferes with relationships and functioning level.

 

There are many problems associated with excessive gaming and media time. Here are a few of them:

1) Increased gaming can equate to decreased face to face social interaction. Although some gamers argue that they get increased socialization with Role Play Games (RPGs), the interactions are not the same as a face to face interactions.

2) Increased gaming may lead to decreased ability to concentrate. It can also lead to decreased motivation to do others activities that do not have as much sensory input (i.e - reading, exercise, etc.). Often times, individuals who spend excessive time on video games are not motivated to do other activities.

3) Some people use video games to escape the pressures in “real life” world. They then do not learn how to use other coping strategies to cope.

4) Increased gaming may lead to increased health risks and concerns related to sedentary life. Other concerns such as increased weight gain, increased risk to type 2 diabetes, and/or poor posture.

5) Many RPG’s have a culture where people can be quite mean spirited to each other. Many gamers will make unkind remarks to others during games.

 

On the other side of the coin....video games and media can be positive. If done in moderation, they can be a great stress release. There are some great learning applications out there as well. Gaming can also be done to help bring families together with a health sense of fun, healthy competition.

 

I have seen how excessive preoccupation can affect my own foster son. When I first received my son from another foster home, he was excessively dependent upon video games. He would engage in huge tantrums when denied access to video games. If allowed, he would spend endless hours on his tablet. Over the years, I have slowly tried to help my foster son reduce the amount of time on games as I was seeing how it affected his behaviors. One specific thing that I have done is to create Wednesday night family night. No video games, YouTube, or video is allowed on Wednesdays. Instead, we play games as a family. When I shared my agenda to have Wednesday Family Night with my son, I was fully expecting a big battle. I was quite surprised that my foster son reacted in a semi-positive way about it. Now, it has become a way of life and we all look forward to Family Night (without any video games or media time).

 

Tips to Consider:

1) Monitor the type of video games that your child is playing. Do you know the type of chat that your child is being exposed to as well in the game? The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)  posts ratings and guidelines for games that are based upon the age of the player.

 

2. Consider putting restrictions on how long your child needs to be on a break before playing more games. For example, for a child who play 6 hours per day, you may consider a rule that he/she should take a 1 hour break after 1 hour of gaming. You can then increase the amount of the break (i.e- 2 hour break after 1 hour of gaming), etc.

 

3. Consider putting passwords on the devices or keeping the device or console. Some parents find it helpful to keep the console cords. If need be, you may need to change your wi-fi password and not tell your child the password.

 

4. Fast from all video games for a specified time period.

 

5. Create a Family Night (No Screentime/gaming night) like our family has chosen to do.

 

6. Create certain rules or things that need to occur before your child can play video games. For example, you may allow your child to play video games after all homework is done and chores are complete. In addition, you may create a rule that your child can “game” only after their room is clean and they have read for at least 15-30 minutes.  Perhaps, the gaming can be allowed after all these things and your child has engaged in some physical exercise such as swimming, jumping on the trampoline, etc.

 

7. Encourage your child to self-monitor their own behavior (i.e.- recording the actual amount of time gaming). Often times, youth are not aware of the amount of time on gaming, so this may help.

 

8)  Play games with your friends (in person) rather than playing by yourself. This may lead to opportunities to change the activity and do something other than just gaming.

 

9) It is not enough to help your child to stop gaming. You must help your child learn to engage in other activities. If your child is used to 3-4 hours of video games, it may be difficult to simply tell your child to reduce it to 1 hour of video game each day without proactive planning. What will they do with the other 2 hours? You need to provide activities and other things for your child to do during that time.

 

All in all, gaming can be positive if done in moderation; however, if it interferes with school work, job, relationships, or access to other hobbies or interests, an intervention may need to be developed to help reduce one’s dependence on gaming.