Healthy Video Game Limits
The great majority of the country's youngsters and teenagers play video games. While many youngsters play them in moderation and without negative repercussions, others get fascinated with them. When a youngster neglects homework to play games, or stays up all night gaming and is too fatigued to get up for school the next day, parents may grow concerned. Some parents note that their child seldom interacts with others in person and spends all of his or her leisure time playing video games. Some youngsters begin to conceal how much they play.
Limiting and enforcing game play
You, as a parent, should have the most say in defining suitable gaming limitations for children and younger adolescents, and even for older teenagers under the age of 18. Having clear and consistent video game restrictions reduces excessive gaming. However, two-thirds of children and adolescents say their parents have "no rules" about how much time they spend on media. Make certain that you are no longer a part of the majority! Here are some tips for restricting your child's gaming time:
1. Keep in mind that gaming should take place only after your youngster has completed his other obligations for the day. Homework and domestic responsibilities should be included. Check the quality and completion of homework and chores before enabling your youngster to start playing. Playing video games should be an earned luxury. Gaming is not a natural right!
2. Establish firm limitations for your child's gaming. According to Pediatrics, time should be limited to 30 to 60 minutes a day on school days and 2 hours or fewer on non-school days. For children under the age of six, the organization advises even lower restrictions of less than one hour of total screentime each day, and they encourage parents to establish the appropriate amount of time for video games and other electronic media use for children above the age of six. They provide an online planner to help parents decide on screen usage. Whatever boundaries you believe are reasonable, certain days each week should be free of gaming. It's critical that your child develops, maintains, and appreciates non-screentime activities.
3. Consider a suitable time window for reconsideration when developing your regulations. You can stick to your strategy for one or two months before reevaluating it. A temporary modification will receive more support than a permanent change. You may determine that the first idea is too limited. You might then relax it after a few months if your child is adhering to it and there are no difficulties. Remember that it is simpler to relax constraints than it is to tighten them.
4. Determine a reasonable penalty for breaching the rules. The consequences for breaking the rules must be enforceable and swift. If she does not follow the restrictions, a total ban on gaming (or media use in general) for several days or weeks is a fair choice.
5. Make certain you are aware of and approve of the games your child is playing. You have the right — and the obligation — as a parent. If you are doubtful, ask him personally or consult online browsers. Learn about his favorite games. You should give guidelines regarding the sorts of games allowed in addition to the periods for playing. You may and should avoid purchasing and playing games containing explicit sexual material.
6. Once your rules have been set, you must continuously monitor and enforce them. When you are weary or preoccupied, you cannot allow your child to break the rules. You cannot change the rules if your child is unwell or does not have any schoolwork one day. Whatever other concerns occur, if your child violates the rules, you must instantly impose the penalties. You must be confident in the strategy you suggest, and you must be dedicated, ready, and able to carry it out. If both parents are participating, they must agree on the monitoring of gaming time and the restrictions that go with it.
7. Identify more leisure opportunities. It is necessary to replace gaming with other activities in order to change excessive gaming behavior. Your child is gaming because she enjoys it and it is something she is excellent at. Gaming may be done almost anywhere, at any time, with little forethought or effort. Because many gadgets are utilized for other purposes, launching a game is as simple as one click – and one second. When your youngster has nothing better to do, games are always there to help pass the time. Encourage your youngster to participate in other leisure activities to help fill free time. Consider what you and your family members can do with your youngster. Activities should be replaced on the days and times of the week when your youngster spends the most time playing video games.
8. Encourage non-gaming hobbies with good reinforcement. When your youngster is active in activities that are not related to gaming, praise him or her. These benefits might be in the form of real things, services, or even money. They can also be intangible, such as verbal praise or simply being paid attention to. You may substitute rewarding leisure activities for gaming periods, and these activities can also function as punishments for not gaming. If your child has been gaming at a dangerous level, one of the negative results has most certainly been a deterioration in your connection with him. Positive reinforcement for non-gaming activities is one method to strengthen that bond, and it may also be gratifying for a youngster.
