Video Games

YES, YOUR KID IS PLAYING TOO MANY VIDEO GAMES.

If you even have to ask yourself the question, you probably already know the answer. Video games are entering the world of addiction medicine and video game and internet addiction may actually become diagnosable conditions in the new addition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for psychiatrists.

I see countless kids who are doing their brains a severe disservice by gaming too much. A recent study in the journal of pediatrics states that kids can definitely give themselves even worse ADHD by playing games and watching TV more than 2 hours average per day. But my thinking is that number is not low enough. For the most part, there is no socially redeeming reason to play video games, especially first-person shooters and massively multiplayer online games. My reasons are many, but my main complaints center around the damage that the games do to family togetherness. Humans are animals who are meant to be around each other, communally, enjoying each other, sharing, cooperating, and helping each other. The endless selfish hours of videogames that many children are allowed undermine the role of the family on human development. My other complaint about videogames is the false sense of self-esteem that develops in children. I see so many kids whose sole talent is that they can beat levels on the hottest XBox game. Who cares? When that kid is applying for college, is the Dean going to ask, "what level are you in World of Warcraft?"

Gaming is reaching the level of addiction for many kids. It impact sleep, worsens grades, and becomes an obsession just like drugs and alcohol. Kids play games for longer than intended, just like drugs and alcohol. They get withdrawals just like drugs and alcohol. They lie about their gaming, just like drugs and alcohol.

If your kid is addicted to video games, I suggest removing the system from your house or disabling the computer. Require your kids to play on the weekends only or play as a family for limited amounts of time. Video games are a huge privilege, but some kids act like they are entitled to play games every day. No they are not. Put your foot down. Your kids will throw a giant fit and be mad at you, and that's ok.