“I got bored.” “I just want to relax.” “It’s very cold outside.”

Are these some of the excuses your teen comes up with to keep playing video games instead of going out and doing something? A little parenting might encourage your teen to try one of the following video game alternatives:

1. Take the whole family outside for a picnic, game or picnic
2. Play ‘old’ board games as a family
3. Join a sports club or team
4. Enroll your teen in art, dance or music lessons
5. Get a pet and give your teen the primary responsibility for his care
6. Read a good book in the library
7. Take a class at the local community center
8. Participate in a church youth group
9. Volunteer to serve food, maintain public walking paths, clean the beach or some other project
10. Try an adventurous outdoor activity, such as rock climbing, white water rafting, fly fishing or mountain biking

The first step in determining the most attractive video game alternative for your teen is to understand the basic need. Does your teen play video games to:

• Have fun
• Relax
• meet new people
• Avoid spending time with family
• Escape from difficult feelings, memories, or experiences

Oftentimes, you can lure your teen away from video games by helping him find passion, connect with people in a deeper way, and stay actively involved in life.

Of course, it is not always easy to get your teen to stop playing video games. They may not be motivated to change bad habits, or worse, they may have become “addicted” to video games or the Internet. In these situations, you may need help establishing healthy interests and rebuilding strong personal relationships.

Therapy is one of the best options available to teens who are addicted to gaming. Treatment programs for teens should treat gaming addiction by:

• Addressing underlying emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, or challenge, through intensive therapy
• Introducing healthy activities such as sports, art, outdoor recreation, and many more
• Create a positive peer environment to combat social isolation and build communication skills
• Improving parent-child relationships through family therapy and workshops

In reasonable quantities, video games can be a fun way to escape. But a teen who spends so much of their free time in front of their computer or video game console is missing out on the countless opportunities waiting outside the front door.