It is not difficult to understand the allure of video games. First of all, there is strength. Most children and teens don’t feel like they have much control over their world.

They are generally told what to wear and eat, when to go to sleep and wake up, how they spend most of their day (at school, duh), and even who their friends should be.

In a video game, the kid is in control, whether he’s competing in a battle royale, mastering guitar licking, or leading a team raid on the alliance.

Attractive Games

Above all, there is the excitement. A good game will get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping, even if you’re sitting on the sofa with a controller.

Games with a time element amplify this excitement, even in simple games like Jewel Quest where you drop to one second before everything explodes because you haven’t found the three matching gems.

Another lure is that most games have skill levels. They start simple so anyone can play, but the difficulty increases as the player improves their game. This absorbs the player into the game and gives them a sense of accomplishment, making it hard to stop playing.

I’m sure you’ve heard something about the effect of, “But mom, I was about to hit level 60 and get a new set of armor!” After telling the kids it’s time for dinner.

Arguably the most addictive games are the endless ones. These are generally multiplayer online role-playing games, or MMORPGs, such as World of Warcraft. It’s not just about hitting an opponent and moving on to the next opponent.

Players often have multiple types of characters and have to perform certain tasks in order to get better gear or other rewards. They will also work together in groups with other players around the world.

Raid parties are scheduled days in advance, and players are demoted or vilified by fellow players if they don’t show up and play the entire sequence, which can sometimes take hours.

On the other hand, games like Fortnite and GTA V have taken advantage of online gameplay to move away from the traditional “missionary” single player gameplay. Players will now compete for supremacy with friends or with other players around the world.

Upon completion of a particular game, the player can immediately join another game and try to win again.

Parents’ attitudes

Many parents view gaming as a relatively harmless addiction when compared to the real-world risks. When they’re at home, we know what they’re doing and who they’re playing with (okay, sort of). But video game addiction can spoil lives. Children who play four to five hours a day have little time for socializing, homework or exercise.

Quitting this habit is also difficult. Video and computer game addicts can’t just avoid computers. They need to use it for homework and communication with friends. It’s like putting an alcoholic in a bar and saying, “Just have one drink.” Parents need to set strict limits and monitor usage. This means that the computer or gaming systems should be in the living room or wherever other family members are.

Most importantly, though, parents should help their children find alternatives to video games. Get them involved in sports, join a school band or after school club, or just play outside with the neighbors. Do not be afraid of the words, “I’m bored.” The truth is that if they are bored enough, they will find something to do. You can always give them some extra work!

get help

Because excessive play is seen by many as a relatively harmless addiction, most families do not seek the help they may need. But times are changing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made the historic decision to include gaming disorder in its next diagnostic manual. It is hoped that proper identification of gaming addiction will help families to find the appropriate treatment for the affected individual.

The consequences of not intervening early in true gaming addictions can be significant. For example, impulsive children or those who experience face-to-face interaction are more likely than their peers to indulge in excessive games.

However, dropping out of playing video games can eventually exacerbate underlying problems, including poor social skills. The more of these issues, the more the gaming addict will escape into the alternate reality that video games offer.

Harmful patterns of gaming behavior tend to integrate more the longer they last. Seeking treatment can also help detect and treat other potential mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and ADHD.

Although not every gaming addict has an underlying mental health disorder, it has been found that affected individuals are more likely than their peers to have one of these three disorders.

Seeking help early helps game addicts get to the root of their problems and treat them firmly. Putting mental health first in teens is very important if they are to grow into happy, fulfilled individuals.