Millions
of kids, especially boys, love to spend time on computers
and play video games. Many of the popular games are
played on the Internet. Our national survey revealed
that 92% of kids age 2-17 play regularly - that translates
into 59 million young players. The overwhelming majority
of these kids play their video games, do their homework,
keep up their responsibilities, and have other interests.
No problem. Used in moderation, most video and computer
games are fine.
Some kids, however, get hooked. Computer game addiction
is real and growing. No one knows how many kids are
obsessed, but the toll is mounting. What can you do
if you think your child is hooked?
You should
be concerned if your child:
Repeatedly breaks family rules about
when and how much game playing is allowed.
Withdraws from friends and activities
to spend time playing.
Sneaks and lies about game playing.
Neglects school work and other responsibilities.
Throws temper tantrums when limits
are imposed.
Some parent-child arguments about video
and computer games are part of 21st century
America, so don't panic if you have your
share of them. On the other hand, don't
ignore signs of a real problem with compulsive
playing. Here are some tips to make sure
computers and video games remain a positive
part of your children's lives.
Set clear ground rules about when,
where, how much, and what kind of game
playing is allowed.
Limit game playing time.
Require that homework and other chores
be completed first.
Keep video and computer games out
of kids' bedrooms.
Consistently enforce the rules. If
your child refuses to cooperate, restrict
access for a period of time.
If nothing else works, go cold turkey.
Get rid of the games.
Testimonial:
"I knew my eleven-year-old son was
sneaking on the Internet game runescape.com
on his laptop in his room when he was supposed
to be doing his homework. I didn't think
it was a big deal. But then I noticed how
agitated he was when family activities took
too long, or if I asked him to play outside
instead of getting on the computer. We decided
to make the computer off limits for two
weeks. It was scary to watch him. He was
sneaking around the house looking for where
we'd hidden it, he cried, he screamed at
us - it was like he was a different child.
When the two weeks were up we had a big
family discussion about healthy boundaries.
He can't take his computer off alone anymore
and he understands, firsthand, how powerful
this stuff is. Thankfully we found out before
it went even further. Thank you MediaWise."
- Concerned Parent
Resources
Important things to ask when you are looking
for help in treating video game addiction:
Do you believe that video games can be addictive?
Have you ever treated anyone for computer
or video game addiction?
If not, what is your approach for treating
addiction?
Do you believe that video game addiction
needs to be treated directly as a primary
problem?
Or merely as a symptom for an underlying problem?
[You want to work with someone who will treat
video game addiction as a primary problem,
not as a secondary issue.]
On-line resources and specialists:
The National Institute on Media and the Family
does not endorse any of the following resources.
We offer these resources as information.
Dr. Maressa Orzack, Licensed clinical psychologist,
on the Harvard Medical School faculty, Coordinator
of Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital,
at www.computeraddiction.com.
Dr. Kimberly Young, Executive Director,
Center for Online Addiction, at www.netaddiction.com.
To download this document
in PDF form, click
here.
"I'd Rather" Test:
1. With this background in mind ask the
gamer you are concerned about to write down
a list of all the things they do during
the course of a week. The list usually includes
things like eating, sleeping, spending time
with family, playing a sport, engaging in
a hobby, school and/or work, chores, going
to movies, studying, hanging out with friends,
etc.
2. Then have the gamer check as many
of the following statements he/she thinks
are true.
True
I'd rather play games than hang
out with my friends.
I'd rather play games than play
any sports.
I'd rather play games than spend
time with my family.
I'd rather play games than eat.
I'd rather play games than sleep.
I'd rather play games than talk
on the phone.
I'd rather play games than go to
school or work.
I'd rather play games than go to
a movie.
I'd rather play games than watch
TV.
I'd rather play games than listening
to music.
I'd rather play games than exercise.
Now, list the things
you'd rather do than play video games.
1.__________________________________________
2.__________________________________________
3.__________________________________________
If you have trouble thinking of
things you'd rather do than play
video games, they may have become
the most important priority in your
life. This could be the start of
a slippery slope to video game addiction.
Knowing
the signs and knowing what you can do gives
you power.
Be MediaWise.
Join
the Network today to listen
to an interview with Institute
President and Founder, Dr.
David Walsh, about protecting
kids from Internet Pornography.
Millions
of kids, especially boys, love to spend time on computers
and play video games. Many of the popular games are
played on the Internet. Our national survey revealed
that 92% of kids age 2-17 play regularly - that translates
into 59 million young players. The overwhelming majority
of these kids play their video games, do their homework,
keep up their responsibilities, and have other interests.
No problem. Used in moderation, most video and computer
games are fine. 
