Source: 风采·Feminine
Published date: 18th December 2021
By Ms. Lee Li Li, Clinical Psychologist
The gaming addiction increased considerably amid Covid-19 pandemic.
In recent years, the rate of teenagers who are addicted to video games has been steadily rising. Due to lack of self-control in teenagers, they get addicted to the virtual world of video games easily, which may lead them to a dysfunctional life. In the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as a mental disorder, with symptoms such as lack of control over time spent on gaming, prioritizing gaming over other interests, and continued or escalated gaming despite negative consequences.
Addiction is defined as chronic, relapsing brain disorder that caused long-lasting changes in the brain, which the patient continues to develop gaming behaviours despite of harmful consequences. During these two years of pandemic, both children and teenagers are spending more time on the internet and gaming. Consequently, they are prone to have greater risk of falling into gaming addiction, which eventually affects their daily life and studies.
The content of video games is beyond the imagination of adults
Ms. Lee Li Li, the founder of Azon Connect People Development Sdn. Bhd and consultant psychologist shared that, “In fact, both gaming and screen time are very much alike. It will not bring harm to us but more on how we utilize it. The research and development of all electronic gadgets has both pros and cons; however, gaming becomes an addiction when there is an excessive use of games and lose control. This has also become the biggest concerns of the parents.”
“If the gaming content is healthy, it could act as a recreational activity or hobby for teenagers who are well trained with good time management. However, the biggest underlying concern is the risk of teenagers being exposed to online games that are easily accessed and contain inappropriate contents such as sexual violence, which will cause harmful effects to the teenagers’ mind”, said Ms. Li Li.
Manage your child from using smartphones to pass time
Gaming addiction usually goes through several stages. The early stage of gaming addiction starts with playing game to pass time or for pleasure. Gradually, it will turn into a habit of playing games when feeling bored. Gaming without limitation will then become an addiction, which lead to a dysfunctional life. Ms. Li Li pointed out the contributing factors of gaming addiction may be caused by an individual’s early experiences with gaming. For example, young children aged 3 to 4 years old usually have an early exposure to smartphones, such as listening to songs and watching cartoons. When they discover the games in the smartphones, it eventually spikes their interest to it.
It was suggested that parents should not let their children expose to gadget games, especially when they do not have adequate self-control and discipline. Teenage gaming addiction will be more serious as compared to young children because teenagers will be more rebellious and have more access to the video games.
Addictions commit to crimes
“Adolescent gaming addiction can be observed clinically. The symptoms include mood swings, shouting, bad temper, impatience, violence, emotional issue, anxious and unable to focus when the gadgets are kept away from them. In severe cases, they might have chaotic life routine, irregular eating, sleeping, and learning time.”
“If this situation continues for a long-term, the body will feel tired, have poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and pale appearance as some teenagers may even spend 3 days to play game without sleeping. When they lose their occupational functioning, they may engage in stealing and robbing to buy game token; hence, the relationship between addiction and criminal behaviour is correlated. ", Ms. Li Li said.
It is not shameful in seeking help from care groups
The psychologist stressed that severe gaming addiction requires interventions. For example, the child could be placed in another environment rather than the current environment which will provoke their addictions. Generally, healthy exciting activities and positive values are applied to help the child to build new self-worth and mindset, as well as other applied practice such as helping others and volunteering to understand and discover their own values, joy and meaning in life.
For mild or moderate case, parents may do some adjustments at home and improve parent-child relationship through communication and teaching with care. In this modern era, parents may act as a friend to communicate and understand their child’s reason of playing games. For instance, children may play games due to boredom and do not have other hobbies; while some may play games to seek enjoyment and relieve stress. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand the causes of the child’s addiction and slowly guide them to tackle the issue. The companionship and love of parents are the key elements to help the child in getting rid of gaming addiction.
"To solve the problem of addiction, parents must have a thorough analysis of the problem, communicate with suggestions, such as introducing other life skills and interests to your children, rather than letting them to solve the problem alone.”
The loving companionship of parents is the most effective antidote
“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.” If the children have less opportunity in learning life skills, which allow them to understand the values of life at their young age, they are more likely get addicted to gaming. While, if the children have more opportunities in participating real-life interest and practice, they may develop a better understanding towards duties and responsibilities that learned from life, and less likely to turn a habit into an addiction.
For example, parents may guide their children to understand love, caring, and responsibilities through taking care of a pot of flower. They will have the opportunity to learn and practice these life values and skills, which further develop their interest towards a fulfilled life.
Parental involvement is crucial in the child development and growth. Gaming addiction is considered a family matter; hence, it requires both the parents and child’s cooperation to solve the problem instead of putting blame on each other. It takes time, love, good parent-child relationship and environmental change for a child to recover from an addiction.
Establish the concept of time management since early childhood
Ms. Li Li suggested that parents should overcome the gaming addiction with their children, by helping them to cultivate healthy interests and hobbies, and work to establish a good routine, such as setting a regular schedule together. Children are still allowed to play games, but there should be a limit, in hope they can also learn about time management.
"Any time restriction should not be too extreme, and it is not encouraged to let them play games for two days continuously because it is difficult to break through from the virtual world. It is important to include a break after every one hour, which will be helpful to get them back to the realistic environment. If it is during the holiday period, there can be intervals of 3 one-hour breaks throughout the day, which allow them to have more control over stopping the games through own will."
Once the child learns the concept of time management and cultivate other healthy hobbies including the support of parents' companionship, it will help to enhance the recovering process. Eventually, they can establish a normal healthy lifestyle and cultivate new life values, which is helpful to overcome gaming addiction.
Note：The above content is adopted from #722 Feminine. For further information and assistance, please contact us. Thank you.
Source: 风采·Feminine
Published date: 18th December 2021
By Ms. Lee Li Li, Clinical Psychologist
The gaming addiction increased considerably amid Covid-19 pandemic.
In recent years, the rate of teenagers who are addicted to video games has been steadily rising. Due to lack of self-control in teenagers, they get addicted to the virtual world of video games easily, which may lead them to a dysfunctional life. In the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as a mental disorder, with symptoms such as lack of control over time spent on gaming, prioritizing gaming over other interests, and continued or escalated gaming despite negative consequences.
Addiction is defined as chronic, relapsing brain disorder that caused long-lasting changes in the brain, which the patient continues to develop gaming behaviours despite of harmful consequences. During these two years of pandemic, both children and teenagers are spending more time on the internet and gaming. Consequently, they are prone to have greater risk of falling into gaming addiction, which eventually affects their daily life and studies.
The content of video games is beyond the imagination of adults
Ms. Lee Li Li, the founder of Azon Connect People Development Sdn. Bhd and consultant psychologist shared that, “In fact, both gaming and screen time are very much alike. It will not bring harm to us but more on how we utilize it. The research and development of all electronic gadgets has both pros and cons; however, gaming becomes an addiction when there is an excessive use of games and lose control. This has also become the biggest concerns of the parents.”
“If the gaming content is healthy, it could act as a recreational activity or hobby for teenagers who are well trained with good time management. However, the biggest underlying concern is the risk of teenagers being exposed to online games that are easily accessed and contain inappropriate contents such as sexual violence, which will cause harmful effects to the teenagers’ mind”, said Ms. Li Li.
Manage your child from using smartphones to pass time
Gaming addiction usually goes through several stages. The early stage of gaming addiction starts with playing game to pass time or for pleasure. Gradually, it will turn into a habit of playing games when feeling bored. Gaming without limitation will then become an addiction, which lead to a dysfunctional life. Ms. Li Li pointed out the contributing factors of gaming addiction may be caused by an individual’s early experiences with gaming. For example, young children aged 3 to 4 years old usually have an early exposure to smartphones, such as listening to songs and watching cartoons. When they discover the games in the smartphones, it eventually spikes their interest to it.
It was suggested that parents should not let their children expose to gadget games, especially when they do not have adequate self-control and discipline. Teenage gaming addiction will be more serious as compared to young children because teenagers will be more rebellious and have more access to the video games.
Addictions commit to crimes
“Adolescent gaming addiction can be observed clinically. The symptoms include mood swings, shouting, bad temper, impatience, violence, emotional issue, anxious and unable to focus when the gadgets are kept away from them. In severe cases, they might have chaotic life routine, irregular eating, sleeping, and learning time.”
“If this situation continues for a long-term, the body will feel tired, have poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and pale appearance as some teenagers may even spend 3 days to play game without sleeping. When they lose their occupational functioning, they may engage in stealing and robbing to buy game token; hence, the relationship between addiction and criminal behaviour is correlated. ", Ms. Li Li said.
It is not shameful in seeking help from care groups
The psychologist stressed that severe gaming addiction requires interventions. For example, the child could be placed in another environment rather than the current environment which will provoke their addictions. Generally, healthy exciting activities and positive values are applied to help the child to build new self-worth and mindset, as well as other applied practice such as helping others and volunteering to understand and discover their own values, joy and meaning in life.
For mild or moderate case, parents may do some adjustments at home and improve parent-child relationship through communication and teaching with care. In this modern era, parents may act as a friend to communicate and understand their child’s reason of playing games. For instance, children may play games due to boredom and do not have other hobbies; while some may play games to seek enjoyment and relieve stress. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand the causes of the child’s addiction and slowly guide them to tackle the issue. The companionship and love of parents are the key elements to help the child in getting rid of gaming addiction.
"To solve the problem of addiction, parents must have a thorough analysis of the problem, communicate with suggestions, such as introducing other life skills and interests to your children, rather than letting them to solve the problem alone.”
The loving companionship of parents is the most effective antidote
“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.” If the children have less opportunity in learning life skills, which allow them to understand the values of life at their young age, they are more likely get addicted to gaming. While, if the children have more opportunities in participating real-life interest and practice, they may develop a better understanding towards duties and responsibilities that learned from life, and less likely to turn a habit into an addiction.
For example, parents may guide their children to understand love, caring, and responsibilities through taking care of a pot of flower. They will have the opportunity to learn and practice these life values and skills, which further develop their interest towards a fulfilled life.
Parental involvement is crucial in the child development and growth. Gaming addiction is considered a family matter; hence, it requires both the parents and child’s cooperation to solve the problem instead of putting blame on each other. It takes time, love, good parent-child relationship and environmental change for a child to recover from an addiction.
Establish the concept of time management since early childhood
Ms. Li Li suggested that parents should overcome the gaming addiction with their children, by helping them to cultivate healthy interests and hobbies, and work to establish a good routine, such as setting a regular schedule together. Children are still allowed to play games, but there should be a limit, in hope they can also learn about time management.
"Any time restriction should not be too extreme, and it is not encouraged to let them play games for two days continuously because it is difficult to break through from the virtual world. It is important to include a break after every one hour, which will be helpful to get them back to the realistic environment. If it is during the holiday period, there can be intervals of 3 one-hour breaks throughout the day, which allow them to have more control over stopping the games through own will."
Once the child learns the concept of time management and cultivate other healthy hobbies including the support of parents' companionship, it will help to enhance the recovering process. Eventually, they can establish a normal healthy lifestyle and cultivate new life values, which is helpful to overcome gaming addiction.
Note：The above content is adopted from #722 Feminine. For further information and assistance, please contact us. Thank you.
Source: 风采·Feminine
