Live Chat - Gaming Addiction In Children: Dos And Donts

"Mom! Can I please download a game, mom? Please!!??"  Sounds familiar? We hear children as young as three, four and five years of age, keen on (and surprisingly, even knowing how to) download games on their parents' smart phones, tablets or iPads. As youngsters ourselves, even we were fascinated by video games and computer games and, agreeing that it is natural, it is still a bit of a concern that our children are caught in the lure of these games. But if you ask me, the question is not why are the children hooked on to games and smart phones? The question is why have we let them?

Who & what  is to be blamed?

Everyone blames the TV for spoiling our children but a bigger danger is lurking in our homes, small enough and smart enough to fit in those tiny hands and change their worlds forever, like never before! From a very young age, our children are exposed to games and apps on our smart phones and if we, as parents are not careful, it is only an invitation to disaster. It is important to check what your child is downloading and what games your child is playing. Though mindless games are okay once in a while, it can act as an addiction that is difficult to get rid of as the child grows. Also, many of these games need your child to make a lot of in-app purchases that you need to set proper controls for. For instance, many of us are aware that the recent star of the gaming world, 'PUBG' is taking the country by storm. The game has been downloaded almost over 50 million times since its release in December last year. The game has already taken a teen's life and there are other being treated for its addiction.  In fact, the World Health Organisation recognised gaming in the International Classification of Diseases. 

So what can you do?

Well, if you absolutely have to introduce your child to the world of apps and gaming, why not invest a little time and get the games and apps that will help your child, .teach him something new. Why not get a game that challenges her intellect or even teaches her something really important? Choose a game wisely. Try and see age appropriate games and informative apps. Children are like a sponge, ready to absorb all the knowledge that they can and use the apps to bring this knowledge to them in story format that they will enjoy.

There is a lot you can do without your time restrictions, but I say, make that effort, take those five minutes out. So the next time, you give your phone to your child to play while you work, you know that he too is investing his time in an activity that stimulates his mind and makes him work, and learn too, in the process. After all, your children are going to be this young only once. Give them the chance of remembering their childhood as fondly as you remember yours

Want to know more details?

REGISTER NOW for a live chat with our Education and Career Counselor, Swapna Nair and get answers to all your questions

What you stand to gain?

• How is gaming addiction affecting your children's mind?


• The Dos and Dont's you can introduce to your child

Register now and queue up your questions