[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Should you pull
the plug? If you are trying to help change your child's gaming
habits, you will need to decide whether to pull the plug on gaming completely,
or try to cut back to a reasonable number of hours. You may want to discuss these
options with a mental health provider. Going "cold turkey" is not advised
if:
You will be unable to enforce the new time rules you've set (i.e.
don't make empty threats).
If you think that your child will harm themselves
or someone else if you get rid of the games without the support of a professional.
Strategies
for cutting back If you've decided that cutting back on gaming
hours is the right choice for your family, here are some strategies to try.
Don't necessarily try them all at once, instead try one or two a week and
see how it goes. You could also make a Family
Change Plan to help you solidify your goals and be able to refer back
to your commitments.
Keep track of game play. Encourage your child to
track how much they play. Find a way that works for your family such as check
marks on a poster, bar graphs, or "screen time cards" (see below).
MediaWise
"Screen Time Tickets"
This visual tool helps you monitor
the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen (video games, TV, computer,
etc.) - a key first step to changing your child's media habits.
Set goals. Decide together how many hours (or half hours)
you want to cut back each week.
Balance gaming time with "off screen" time. Agree
that not all gaming hours allocated for the week will be played in one or two
days. Instead, try "spacing out" gaming time, mixing it with other
activities.
Find
alternatives to gaming. If gaming previously occupied a lot of time,
it is important to fill new ‘free’ time with new healthy activities,
relationships, and engagements. Maybe this will give your child an opportunity
to re-engage in activities they previously enjoyed.
Make a plan to handle power struggles. When conflict arises
over new rules or as you work towards meeting new goals, make
MediaWise
"Screen Time Tickets"
