In today’s digital age, parents have a new concern on their minds – mobile game addiction. This issue has gained official recognition as a mental health condition by the World Health Organization. Disturbing cases of children spending exorbitant amounts of money on mobile games have come to light, highlighting the detrimental impact of this addiction. As parents, it is crucial to understand how mobile game addiction can harm your child.
Mobile game addiction can have serious consequences for children’s cognitive development, sleep patterns, academic performance, and social skills. Dr. Rachna K. Singh, a mental wellness expert, explains that screen addiction affects both adults and children. However, its impact on children is particularly severe due to their developing minds. The constant use of screens can hinder their cognitive growth, disrupt their sleep patterns, lower their academic performance, and impair their social skills.
Dr. Dinika Anand, a visiting consultant clinical psychologist, emphasizes that mobile phone and gaming addiction is on the rise in India. This addiction manifests in various ways, such as excessive time spent on social media platforms and mobile games. Unfortunately, there is limited data available on this issue in India, highlighting the need for further investigation. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as children increasingly rely on digital devices for education and entertainment.
Mobile phone games are designed to be fast-paced, engaging, and filled with fantasy elements. This addictive nature of mobile games can make children seek the same level of euphoria and satisfaction in other aspects of their lives. Dr. Dinika stresses the importance of understanding the extent of this problem and the need for parents to monitor their children’s screen time and the content they consume. Age-appropriate content should be allowed, and excessive stimulation should be avoided. Setting fixed hours for screen time, prioritizing learning-based content, and avoiding violent content are essential steps.
Excessive screen time can lead to sedentary behavior, neglect of responsibilities, poor social skills, and even eye problems. Parents must monitor the time their children spend on mobile games and ensure they engage in other activities. Meals should be screen-free, and children should be encouraged to interact with peers and participate in team-building activities online. Parents should lead by example and model healthy screen habits.
Recognizing the warning signs of screen addiction is crucial. These signs include imbalances in time spent on gaming, irritability, anger, constant fixation on the game, neglect of personal care tasks, staying up late, and prioritizing gaming over other responsibilities. Intervention is necessary to address gaming addiction before it becomes a serious problem. Setting screen time limits, having open discussions with children, understanding their reasons for wanting more screen time, and finding alternative ways to meet their social needs are important steps.
Parents should also model healthy screen habits and strive for balance in their own lives. Reducing gaming time gradually, engaging in activities such as playdates and family game nights, and providing alternative sources of fulfillment can redirect children’s focus away from mobile games. It is essential to recognize the prevalence of internet and gaming addiction among the digital generation and cultivate a mindful approach to our relationship with digital devices. While games can have educational benefits, setting boundaries and recognizing their limitations in a child’s overall development is vital.
