Letting children play too much games can make him addicted games, you know. This can have a negative impact on their growth and development and social life. Therefore, it is important for mothers and fathers to recognize what are the symptoms of game addiction in children and how to overcome them.
Play games on a cell phone, computer, or tablet can be a means of entertainment for children to fill their spare time. Not only that, play games can also hone children's skills in solving problems, train leadership, and increase their knowledge.
Although games can be useful, children can become addicted games if Mom and Dad let him play as he pleased. Now, don't let this happen, okay?
Addicted child games tend to have poor behavior, have difficulty socializing, and are prone to feeling lonely. He is also more at risk for sleep disorders and obesity.
Symptoms of Addiction Games on Children
So that children avoid addiction games, Mom and Dad must be observant of the changes in behavior shown by the Little One. The following are the symptoms of addiction games that Mom and Dad can recognize:
- Spend a lot of time playing games
- Feeling restless if you don't play games
- Refusing to play with friends outside the house
- Refusing to do things that were previously liked to play games
- Play games become a priority over other activities
- Gets angry or throws a tantrum when asked to stop playing games
- Irregular sleep cycle
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased achievement in school
- Often complains of pain in the head, neck, and upper back
- Easily irritated and angry when socializing or even with parents
- Lying to parents about how much time they spend playing games
- Mood get better just by playing games
This is How to Overcome an Addicted Child Games
If your little one shows symptoms of addiction games as above, Mom and Dad don't just give up and let it just go on, OK? Mom and Dad must immediately take a stand so that he avoids the bad effects of addiction games.
The following are steps that can be applied to overcome addiction games in children:
1. Set a time limit for children to play games
If your little one is 2–5 years old, allow him to play games only 1 hour per day. After your little one is 6 years old or more, the duration of play games can be determined by agreement with him. For example, your little one can only play games a maximum of 2 hours a day or on weekends only.
Mom and Dad need to be firm in setting a time limit for your little one to play games, yes. Teach him to ask permission first before playing games and return games to Mom or Dad after use.
2. Accompany the child while playing games
To overcome addiction games for children, Mother and Father are advised to accompany the Little One when playing games, yes. Mom and Dad can remind your little one to stop playing and do other activities, such as eating or studying, when playtime is up.
Mom and Dad can also participate in games Little one and choose it games educational ones. In this way, the child will also be protected from games elements of violence and pornography.
3. Invite children to do fun activities
So that the little one's mind is diverted from games, invite him to do other activities that are no less fun, such as drawing or coloring together, cooking together, and gardening at the home garden. Mom and Dad can also invite him to do sports, such as cycling, swimming, or running.
4. Set the consequences if the rules are not obeyed
Establishing consequences if your child doesn't follow the rules can be a way to overcome addiction games. However, this consequence does not mean that Mom and Dad can give it physical punishment, such as hitting or pinching the little one, yes.
The consequences in question can be said to be "good punishment" for the Little One, for example reducing playing time games, watching television, or other means of entertainment that the Little One likes. That way, he will try to obey the rules that have been made so as not to get a reduction in playing time.
In addition to consequences, also give your child an award if he succeeds in obeying the rules that have been made, for example by serving his favorite food or taking him on a trip. This will also train discipline in children.
Overcoming addiction games in children is not an easy matter. Mom and Dad can't just confiscate games child forever and hope the addiction can be overcome. This will have a bad impact on the child's mental health.
So, it takes extra patience in dealing with it. Also remember, don't let Mom and Dad lose control and scold him, okay? This can actually traumatize your little one and injure their closeness to Mom and Dad.
Recognize the symptoms and apply the steps above to overcome addiction games in children. If Mom and Dad find it difficult to overcome it, don't hesitate to take your little one to a psychologist for treatment or therapy.
