Video Games Are Designed To Make Players Feel Accomplished
One of the main appeals of video games is the sense of accomplishment that they can provide to players. Many modern games are designed with achievement checkpoints, from how many of a certain item you collect to quests that are completed. Also, these achievements are reached far faster than any real-life accomplishments. Think about it. Say your teen feels like high school lasts forever, and even after they graduate high school, they may be looking at more years of schooling, whether they want to learn a trade or attend college. Instead of working on the real-life slog of homework, they can jump into a video game where skills are acquired in a matter of minutes, or at most, hours. That kind of pay off can light up the reward centers of your teenager's brain in a way that school and other real-life skill learning rarely can.Signs Your Teen Is A Video Game Addict
There are some common signs that can indicate that your teen is a video game addict, such as:- Skipping activities they used to enjoy to play video games
- Experiencing physical issues, such as eye strain, carpal tunnel, etc.
- Becoming isolated from family and friends
- Exhausted from skipping sleep to game more
- Change in eating habits to facilitate more gaming time
- Visible weight changes—either gaining or losing—due to playing video games
- Neglecting chores and homework in favor of video games
- Lies about how much and how often they are playing video games
What To Do For Teens With Video Game Addiction
When things reach the more extreme side of video game addiction, it is important for parents to intervene before their teen forms more bad habits surrounding video games. Below are steps you can take to address your teen's video game addiction.Limit Video Game Access
Naturally, the first step will be to limit the time your teen spends playing video games. This move may not be as easy as you might hope, as most video game addicts highly resent being blocked from playing, and some can react violently. Also, depending on what your teen plays on—smartphone games, console video games, PC, handheld, etc.—it can be tough to ensure they aren't playing. Some parents create a time-earning system that allows their teen to play more responsibly. For instance, an hour of homework is good for a half-hour of game time, and extra chores can earn your teen more time to play. That way, your teen can learn to balance their video game playing with their other responsibilities.Set Expectations
In many cases, there were no expectations around how often or for how long teens can play video games, which resulted in hours upon hours of gaming. When it comes time to address your teen's overplaying of video games, be sure to lay down your expectations. These expectations can cover how long your teenager can play, what they are expected to accomplish before gaming, and whatever else you find applicable.Involve Therapist
Addictions can be tough to tackle without help, so bringing in a therapist to assist your teen can make a huge difference, both in how your teen responds and in long term success. Often, excessive video game playing can mask other issues, such as social anxiety and depression. By working with a therapist, your teen can work through their struggles and find healthier coping methods to employ.Encourage Other Activities
Sometimes, teens will naturally gravitate to video game playing "because there's nothing else to do." While it may be tempting to give your bored teen a list of chores you'd like to see done, that's not the most effective route to go. Instead, encourage other activities, such as:- Art (drawing, painting, woodworking, fiber arts, etc.)
- Exercise
- Creative writing
- After-school clubs
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