Help children overcome the dark side of gaming
Are you concerned that your child's video game use may be negatively impacting their mental and physical health? If so, you're not alone. While playing video games can have some positive effects, it's crucial to be aware of the potential dangers.
Research shows that there are six factors that motivate people to play video games:
Socializing
Competition
Completion
Escapism
Story-driven gameplay
Enhancing intelligence.
Whilst these sound generally positive, an addiction driven by trying to escape reality can lead to real harm.
If your child has a negative addiction to video games then you need to discover what it is that is lacking in the real world for them or what they are avoiding. Do they seek more excitement? Then you could consider involving them in competitive sports, martial arts or even ‘adrenaline sports’ such as bouldering. Are they struggling to cope emotionally? Then have that difficult conversation or consider some kind of therapy. Do they lack self-confidence? Then you need to help them discover their strengths in order to grow their self-esteem.
Research by S. Raja Surya and I. Sivakumar in 2022 has demonstrated how prolonged gaming can impact the frontal cortex of the brain, disrupting cognitive function and causing long-term damage. Studies also show that prolonged gaming can also lead to anxiety and depression (Andreassen et al., 2016), social anxiety (Karaca et al., 2020), low self-esteem (Kim et al., 2022), interpersonal competence (Lee et al., 2019), relationship problems in a hostile family environment (Sela et al., 2020), and social skill deficits (Mun & Lee, 2017).
If you're concerned about your child's video game use and the potential negative impacts on their mental and physical health, consider enrolling them in a therapeutic group coaching program, where your child can be coached by experts on autonomy, independence, critical thinking, creativity, and character strengths at the individual and collective level.
While coaching programs can be effective in addressing video game addiction and promoting healthy gaming habits for children, it is important to note that they may not work for everyone, and individual approaches may be necessary to address specific children. Remember, like a captain on a ship, it's your responsibility to steer your child away from the potential dangers of prolonged gaming, while also acknowledging the positive benefits that it can offer in moderation.
