Momversation: Is your kid addicted to video games?

Is your kid addicted to video games?

This is the episode in which I reveal my son's frustrating, befuddling addiction to video games. I'm not one who generally thinks of video games as the spawn of the Devil...but I've also never seen a kid so thoroughly entranced. Is it a boy thing? Is it a brain thing? Is it a parenting thing? Dana of Mamalogues and Alice of Finslippy share their thoughts as well.

Related: My past Momversations

Comments

[Becki]

Well, I am one who thinks that video games and TV are the spawn of the devil, and we do not have them in our house.

[JenN]

Myself, my husband, and 8yo daughter enjoy games now and then, with no problem. My 6yo son is another matter - just like the boys discussed in the video, he becomes a completely different person. We started turning the game off as soon as he starts getting frustrated and/or rude. The first few times involved several hours of drama; that time gradually diminished until last week he managed to finish a level and turn off the system without any problems.

I know each child is different, but I believe whatever approach you take must involve both consistency and commitment.

[Jill in Atlanta]

yes, I truly believe that they stimulate the brain in a very rapid way and that it can be addicting.

[Matt]

Kids Help Phone (an organization in Canada that provides counseling for kids) just released the results of their study on online gaming - might be worth a look:

http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/onlinegaming

[Parent Hacks Editor]

Thank you for the great pointer, Matt. My advice to those considering buying a video game system or handheld game: proceed with caution. They are, indeed fun...perhaps TOO fun for some kids (and parents).

[MidlifeMidwife]

We never had a video game system in the house, but let our 2 boys rent one during Christmas break every year. The video store rented systems at a low cost and the rental came with 3 video games. After playing the same games for a week, the term of the rental, our sons got "played out" and were ready to return the system and move on to other activities. It became something special for them to look forward to every year, but they never got addicted to gaming. I'm always amazed at how many kids bring game systems with them to college!

[James]

My brother is almost 24 and he plays video games all the time. I think there is something wrong with that. Last night, we were watching a DVD, and he was playing his handheld video game. Why would you need to be playing a video game while you are watching a TV show on DVD?

I think that video games are completely addictive and some people require continual visual stimulation.

I used to play Nintendo games when I was a kid, and it was fun, and I outgrew it, and that was it.

Unfortunately, some people do not outgrow their video game addictions. As for my brother, I don't get it. Is he going to be 40 years old and still playing video games? I hope not. My advice: stay away from video games entirely.

[wow gold cheap]

Yeah, I agree that various games especially World of Warcraft are really addictive. But proper monitoring of our child and appropriate games for their age are very important for them in order to benefit on playing various video games. Like most expert says, educational video games are very helpful in child development especially video games that requires critical thinking, puzzle solving, etc.