How to control your child's desire to play computer games?

A worrying trend

Emilia, a scout of Lithuania, says that more and more of her peers are not looking for active leisure.

« The problem is that young people find it increasingly difficult to find time outdoors and choose computer games and phones, » she says.

Inga Raštienė, the defender of the rights of the child, says that finding a « golden middle » among the simple hobby of playing computer games and real problems is not easy.

“The boundary is quite subtle. Therefore, we often do not notice ourselves when an innocent hobby seems to be becoming a problem. There is a need for the intervention of extraneous people, ”says the child's rights defender.

The closest ones should help

Because often a young person does not feel when a hobby of spending time at the computer screen becomes a problem, the most important role in helping families is.

I. Raštienė advises family members to follow the child's behavior. “Make sure the child is playing secret, lying or having a deterioration of learning outcomes. Maybe health worsened? This is a serious signal to parents, ”warns the child's rights defender.

The problem is when a child is constantly thinking about games, even without playing them, when they lose contact with friends, they are more likely to be alone, alienate when they are reluctant to communicate with family and peers.

It may also be that such addiction hinders proper rest. If a child prefers games rather than other activities, it causes a strong emotional reaction or aggression (possible first signs of addiction).

Alternative: Creating a real family connection in the family is very important in order to open children off the computer – joint leisure, outings and entertainment for everyone together. / Photo by freepik.com

Addiction is overcome

“If parents see that they are unable to self -prevent dependence, it is advisable to consult a specialist. For example, psychologists to help the child understand the harm of computer games to his or her life, ”advises I. Raštienė.

However, timely, excessive desire to play computer games may be easier to control.

“I would suggest that parents first find out why children were immersed in computer games. Perhaps it is a lack of attention or bullying at school. There are many different reasons, but it is not the best option to ban your child's use of computer and play computer games. I would suggest parents to look at the games the children play, maybe get involved in them, ask the child to show, teach their dad or mom. This is how the child will realize that his parents are interested in his activities. ”

Children's rights defenders are convinced that such a method will be useful for children who simply lacked human, closer family communication.

Not to be angry but to support

It is also very important that parents understand the extent of the problem. Even if a child's dependence on virtual games has evolved because the computer world is more interesting and attractive, it is very important for the child to know that his parents will not blame or condemn him.

« In this case, I recommend various therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change thinking methods and strengthen the strengths, realizing the damage to computer games to children, » says the child's rights defender.

At the same time, it is important to create a real -life family relationship: overall leisure, hobbies, outings and entertainment for everyone together. Then, although the time at the computer will not be strictly restricted, there will be a number of additional activities that encourage the child to engage in the real world, not the virtual world, to nurture their relationships, to build pleasant memories.