A particular problem our parents didn't have to face (well those of us at a certain age anyway) was video game addiction. I was a teen before 'pong' was even available in a console and being addicted to pong was virtually impossible. So as parents we have little to no experience with this kind of lure for our kids. With the advances in online gaming, MMORPG's, team play, stunning graphics, and accessible equipment our kids face a digital temptation for escape many times greater than ours was.
Are you worried your child is spending an unhealthy amount of time playing video games? According to this CRC Health sponsored website the key signs for a video addiction include:
- Most non-school hours are spent on the computer or playing video games
- Falling asleep in school
- Falling behind with assignments
- Worsening grades
- Lying about computer or video game use
- Choosing to use the computer or play video games, rather than see friends
- Dropping out of other social groups (clubs or sports)
- Being irritable when not playing a video game or being on the computer
