Here are some analysis and suggestion:
Why obsessed: fun, fast action, the challenges are inviting.
What's the problem:
- loosing interests and taking away time from playing sport, learning other skills or enjoying active play.
- develops an increasing desire for instant entertainment
- hence decreases their attention span
- hurts their listening skills.
- studies shows that it links excessive gaming with conditions like depression, anxiety and social phobia, healthy growth and development.
Suggestion to handle/treat it:
- Don't: remove the child’s access to these activities or to the extreme like a “tiger mom”. For example, taking away devices from the kid, installing screen-time or monitoring software.
counter-productive and confrontational instead of building up self-control, may also drive your kid elsewhere, like a friend’s house or internet cafe where controls are less strict.
peer pressure while other kids are playing.
may be needed to build social relationship
- Do: help your kid find balance of time between playing games and independent activity, outdoor, and plenty of physical activity which a growing body growth.
First, trying to cooperate and respect
try to let the kid see the consequences and make the decision to plan/control their time
may ask what and when did you do for your other interests? (to make them aware of the obsession)
Something you may try:
1. Play (your kid's favorite) game with your kid
Your might be very excited to teach you and you'll learn a little bit of inside of the game. You’re showing your child that you are open-minded and willing to understand the appeal of the games. Then more likely, your kid will listen to your suggestions.
2. Let your kid keep a record of the time playing games.
At the end of a measurable time e.g. a week, let them to see visually how much of their free time is going to this activity. Your kid will realize time spend on the game and any time for other activities. Do they have interest in other interests they claimed before? This will help them realize that it's an addiction that give them no time for other interests and activities like play sports (game), play a musical instrument, go fishing fish, boating, sports programs/clubs, hikes, mountain biking, camping etc. Or even friends get together with poker game is better than computer games obsession.
3. Arrange active indoor or outdoor activities for your kid and their friends.
Help plan for alternative activities for your kid for their spare time as mentioned above. To go further more, get your kid’s friends involved as possible. Find activities in school, local community center, or internet for resources, activity and programs as examples mentioned above.
4. Pay attention to and/or help find your child's interest or passionate about.
This could be long term project scientific research for kid, swimming competition, make a tree house. Parent participation will help them to have more fun, confidence and build stronger relationship with your kid. Help to finance their project and release their passion, and make it rewarding and fun. Appraise their effort and hard work on the offline activities/projects.
5. Have family time together
Video games cut down true in-personal communication and social skills. Try to help on family bounding. Having family dinner together. Encouraging open talk. Having family activities like watching movies or playing poker games.
