This is a guest post by Ryan who is representing a company that deals with cheap Audi cars, he is a keen gamer but believes that parents should look out for their children when it comes to how much time should be spent playing a video game.
It has been announced here in the UK this week that the very first rehabilitation service for children that are addicted to video games is to be rolled out and I was thinking, how on earth do children actually get to this stage?
Gaming has changed a lot since I was kid because the only way that you used to be able to play multiplayer games was to actually invite a few school mates over and sit there and have a laugh. This was always a fantastic way to socialise but times have changed since then and now services such as Xbox Live have been introduced and that allows gamers to sit at home and play with their friends over the internet. Although I am a big fan of Xbox Live I have to say there is nothing that beats having a game with someone that is sitting next to you and I would choose this over the Live service every single time.
Mario 64:Classic Multiplayer Gaming
Game developers do not actually make local multiplayer as much as they used too and this is often because they are told to make games for the online market because it is where the majority of players are. This is taking the social element out of games and although you can talk to people over headsets it just isn’t the same as having a laugh when they are right next to you.
Kids are spending far too much time by themselves when it comes to playing games; if this social element was brought back into it then I do not think addiction would be such a big problem.
Personally I think that it is up to the parents to decide on how long a child should be sat playing a video game and if you start to do this as soon as they start playing them there will not be a problem. The reason children are getting addicted to games is because parents are allowing them to play them all of the time and on top of this I believe that letting kids play games that are not intended for them is another contributor to why some children are obsessed with gaming. Kids think that things they are not old enough to do are cool and letting your child play an 18 rated game is a big mistake.
I play games, a lot I will say that, when I am not working or spending time with my family or girlfriend I am sitting on one of my consoles. The difference is I can manage my time on these and I know that everything else in my life is far more important than a video game. Children do not get taught how to manage their time and this is where the addiction forms.
So if you are a parent and you are reading this I would advise that you restrict your children on how much time they are spending on the Xbox, Playstation, Wii and even watching the television. Do make sure you do not stop them from doing these things altogether because they are all perfectly healthy when not done all of the time and proven to raise hand eye co-ordination.
Better yet when they are playing games offer to give them a game it will bring that social element to gaming that many children are missing out on and hopefully make them realise that playing a video game is great fun but spending time with friends and family is much, much better.
What do you think on the matter, comment and let’s get the debate started!
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Tags: kids, rehab, video game addiction, video games
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I really believe that this issue falls into the lap of parents. Only we have the ability to control how much time our kids spend playing video games. Allowing them to spend hours and hours playing games just opens up the door for an addiction to occur. Finding a balance that works for each child should be determined by each parent. I have to say that I’m amazed that we’re at the point that we need rehab services for this kind of thing. It’s pretty sad actually!
.-= Tina@RideOnToys is hoping you stop by and read Spring Has Sprung And Patience Is A Virtue! =-.
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
It’s sad to say that some parent, use the games as a baby sitter, rather then sending them out in the garden to get a bit of fresh air, they sit them in front the console etc and just leave them to it!
Twitter: ryanogs
says:
On this matter, I know someone that simply sits their child in front of the television day in and day out and hardly ever intereacts with them.
Then they wonder why their child is slow at talking, reading and other schoolwork.
It is terrible yes, but I would never say cut out playing computer games or watching television altogether as they are good for the mind in small timeframes.
Twitter: AnneOnline
says:
My son has to be monitored [he is 14]. He used to get an attitude whenever he was allowed to play video games extensively [at home and at after school care and over a period of a few days]. He rarely plays them anymore, but I do allow him to use my laptop from time to time for this purpose.
It’s really like any other type of addiction [or is it a compulsion?].
Peer pressure. When all of your friends are doing it and you don’t want to be “out of touch”.
An escape. A way to leave reality behind and lose yourself in the unreal.
Overdoing it. Not knowing when to stop and re-enter the real world.
Besides, sitting around staring at a screen and doing the same repetitive hand movements cannot be good for one’s body, mind, or spirit. Everything in moderation.
.-= Anne Bender is hoping you stop by and read Olay Total Effects Body Wash Review/$10 Walmart Gift Card #Giveaway =-.
Twitter: money_whisper
says:
This is a great and sadly, true to the bone post. I can’t believe what I see these days. I see lots of parents that are buying their kids computers. Many parents are doing this in order to get rid of the responsibilities as a parent and they think that if they leave their kids occupied everything is fine. Big mistake! When I was a child my parents let me do sports, get out with my friends and play and I had no idea what a computer was until I was in high school and now I see kids that are barely at kindergarten and they already have computers. OMG! And you wonder why so many kids are obese, violent, or even worse, anti social…Where is this world heading up?
Twitter: ryanogs
says:
I agree with you but at the same time I will say that I received a console at the age of 3 (as you can see in the post) and I managed to turn out okay, I think it depends on how the parents manage the time that the child is playing the console.
Twitter: money_whisper
says:
You are right. I was referring to those parents that let their kids all day in front of the computer or TV so they will not bother them. I agree to buy something like this for a child, but is necessary to limit the time they are spending doing this kind of activity.
Twitter: annanta
says:
once i was also addicted to video game. I use to skip school and go to play Video game..
this is really great post and parents should always take care of this.
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Twitter: MrsMoodyGermany
says:
Great post as i am also mother of a 8 yo boy. He is allowed to play Play station one hour a day. It was a disaster in winter because he couldn’t play outside. well we can’t hide those stuff from them. But we can pay attention more about it. Thanks for sharing it.
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My boys would play on their Xbox all day if they could! Totally agree – it’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure that a healthy amount of time is spent on computer games. Not sure about the last point though, Ryan… I’d need a lot of practice before I could learn to play their games as well as they can!!
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Twitter: ryanogs
says:
My family are all rubbish at playing video games but it is great to sit down with them and have a game, your boys would love it too. Perhaps getting them a game you can all play like Scene It (with the buzzers) or maybe Lips, this would mean you can all play very easily.
I agree that parents should set time for their kids on when and what video games should be played. With proper guidance and explanation to kids, it will avoid the much greater problems later. For my kids, I don’t allow them to play violent and not-for-kids games. I even install parental control software on my PC just to be sure.
Twitter: ryanogs
says:
That is a great idea, most consoles will have parental controls on them so that if a child pops in a mature game a message will pop up and they will have to pop in a password, I do this on all of my Xbox 360 games so my sisters doesn’t sneak on and try to play!
Twitter: extremejohn
says:
Excellent post! Video game use among teens is ridiculous, my son (if allowed) would spend every waking minute doing nothing but playing video games. Due to a recent drop in grades I have since removed all power cords for all video game systems in our house, he hates it now but he will thank me later.
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He will definitely thank you later. My mom did the same thing when I was younger. My friends that only played video games when we were younger are still playing video games more than they should!
.-= Anthony @ Innovatively Simple is hoping you stop by and read Things I’d Rather Do #1 =-.
It’s the same thing as what you feed your children. If it was up to a child, he would eat candy and whip cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Candy isn’t bad once in awhile, but a candy diet is. I grew up playing video games, but in moderation. I also played sports. It was a good balance. I have a bounce house business and it’s a perfect way for children to have fun AND exercise. Getting the habit of exercising at an early age is important in my eyes. When you make something a habit, it’s a lot easier to stick to it.
.-= Anthony @ Innovatively Simple is hoping you stop by and read Things I’d Rather Do #1 =-.
Twitter: ryanogs
says:
Your certainly right there Anthony, I was watching TV last night and they were showing a kid that played World Of Warcraft for 80 hours a week! If you were the parent I am sorry but you would simply pull the plug or at least get them playing something decent lol!
Twitter: zxxxt
says:
When I was a kid, I played with other kids an the park, on the streets, riding our bikes, chasing each other or what not. Now kids play with other kids online. Time has really change everything.
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I agree that parents should set time for their kids on when and what video games should be played.
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Twitter: passion4gaming
says:
This really is a double edged sword. I worked with young people and video games, and when they are encouraged to join together socially in real life, it has massive benefits. They learn to socialise, accept victory and defeat and interact with each other. The problem i believe comes when the person spends time alone playing games, as they start to do the opposite, become closed off and detached from the outside world.
The new generation of gaming is increasingly social so naturally this is a step in the right direction, and as parents we should ensure, that our children enjoy gaming as part of a social atmosphere rather then something they do when alone and bored. That’s what creative hobbies were for…
Twitter: Witty_Money
says:
Another great post, Karen. Unfortunately the picture you’ve described is so true nowadays. The parents are busy making money and they don’t have so much time to carefully watching over their kids. If I were a parent, I’d let them play that type of games, but with time limit. And I’d also “force” them to have live social interactions with friends. Playing outdoor is so refreshing for their minds, not no mention the benefits for the whole body. Then it’s about developing their communication skills and emotional coefficient, learning to share with the others.
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