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Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips on what to do if your child is addicted to gaming
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The line between hobby and addiction is more defined after the World Health Organization began identifying gaming addiction as a mental health disorder.
Dr. Paul Croarkin, a Mayo Clinic child psychiatrist, says it's normal for kids to want to play video games, but parents should pay attention to lines being crossed into addiction.
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"Things to be worried about are accelerating ... usage – hours and hours and hours throughout the day, playing the games all night long, for example, or all weekend long – and ... abandoning things that use to be ... a source of great enjoyment: schoolwork, friendships, sports, time outside," Dr. Croarkin says.
He says gaming addiction often can be a sign of a broader mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. But there are three important things he says parents who think their child is addicted to gaming should do:
- Communicate.
Communication is key. "It's a time to get more involved in the teenager's life and try to open up more channels of communications, and ... really get a handle on what's going on in their life," Dr. Croarkin says. - Establish rules about screen time and stick to them.
If teenagers aren't meeting basic family expectations, Dr. Croarkin says internet time and devices should be treated as a privilege – not a right. - Seek help.
Don't be afraid to get them professional help.
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