Four signs your child has a gaming addiction

Parenting

The emergence of online gaming has made it a popular pastime for young people. With this rise in popularity, concerns about gaming addiction have become more prevalent.

Excessive gaming can have negative impacts on a child’s health and wellbeing. When children become addicted to gaming, it can quickly become a hidden problem, making it challenging for parents to recognize and address the issue.

Gaming addiction can have detrimental effects on a child’s mental health, academics, and social life. As a result, recognizing and addressing gaming addiction in children is of vital importance for their overall health and development.

We emphasise the importance of early intervention in tackling gaming addiction, says Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova Games, aiming to shed light on the discreet signs of gaming disorder in children. The earlier the issue is addressed, the better chance of overcoming it.

Here are the top four signs a child is struggling with a gaming disorder and what you can do to help and educate your child before the problem gets out of hand. 

1) They are increasingly secretive

Children may hide the amount of time they spend playing games or try to hide the fact that they’re playing at all. Gaming provides a secret world where kids can escape from their problems and responsibilities. But this can lead to children becoming defensive and hiding their gaming habits.

Example: Your child used to play games openly in the living room, but now they spend hours alone in their room with the door closed, refusing to let anyone see what they’re doing.

Expert advice

One of the first steps a parent can take is to have an open and honest conversation with their child about their concerns. This conversation should focus on understanding the reasons behind their increased secrecy and exploring the potential impact of excessive gaming on their wellbeing. 

2) A shift in social behaviours

Another red flag for gaming disorder is a shift in a child’s social behaviours. If a child suddenly becomes more withdrawn or uninterested in socialising, it could be a sign that gaming has taken over their life. Gaming is a social process, but it also can lead to social isolation because it takes place in the child’s room or online.

Example: Your child used to enjoy spending time with friends and participating in extracurricular activities, but now they constantly cancel plans and prefer to spend all their free time playing games.

Expert advice

Introduce your child to other activities like sports, arts, or hobbies that they may enjoy. This can help balance out their screen time and provide them with alternative forms of entertainment and socialisation. 

3) Unusual changes in sleep patterns 

Excessive gaming can also lead to changes in a child’s sleep patterns. Due to the stimulation from gaming, children may stay up late into the night playing games or have trouble falling asleep. 

Longer screen time is associated with shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, and an increased likelihood of having sleep problems.

Example: Your child used to have a consistent bedtime routine, but now they stay up late into the night playing games and have trouble waking up in the morning for school.

Expert advice

It’s important for parents to set limits and boundaries when it comes to gaming. This can include setting a daily time limit for gaming, having designated game-free days, or restricting gaming during certain times (e.g., before bed). 

4) Neglecting personal hygiene

For children who are heavily addicted to video games, maintaining personal hygiene becomes a secondary concern compared to their gaming activities. 

In addition to skipping showers, they may also neglect to brush their teeth regularly or wash their face, leading to a buildup of bacteria and unpleasant odours. This can ultimately affect their overall health and well-being and lead to skin infections, dental issues, and low self-esteem.

Example: Your child wears the same clothes for days in a row and/or makes up excuses as to why they were unable to care for themselves.  

Expert advice

Seeking professional help and counselling may be beneficial in addressing any underlying issues that are contributing to their gaming disorder.

Neglecting personal hygiene makes it clear that the compulsion to play video games is overpowering the child’s ability to prioritise their own hygiene and self-care. 

Be aware of the signs of gaming disorder

It’s important for parents to be aware of the signs of gaming disorder and take steps to address it if necessary. By promoting open communication, setting limits, and encouraging a healthy balance of activities, parents can help their children develop a healthy relationship with gaming and prevent it from becoming a harmful addiction.

Parents should remain patient and understanding while addressing their child’s gaming disorder. It may take time to make progress, but with consistent support and open communication, both the child and family can overcome this challenge and find a healthier balance in their lives.

Read more advice on children and gaming

You can read more advice on children and gaming in these articles:

FreezeNova offers gamers the freedom to enjoy their favourite games without any restrictions. Dedicated to providing free access to a wide array of high-quality, unblocked games, FreezeNova ensures an enjoyable and addictive experience for gamers of all levels.