5 Ways to Prevent Video Game Addiction in Your Child

For as long as video games have been around, parents have been struggling with the problem of controlling their children's video game habit. While there are studies popping up about video game addiction, there is not enough information about the psychological disorder to know how it affects children in the long term. A recent study on video game addiction dates back to 1999 and states that almost one in 10 young video game users are addicted. So where does that leave today's parents? And are there fair ways to reward the majority of children who can control their video game habit, while still teaching discipline to children who are at risk of video game addiction? Here are five things you can do to prevent video game addiction in your child.

Switch to Casual Games
Many games that are addictive tend to be the games that require long periods of time to be devoted to an online social group. Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPGs) like World of Warcraft, Warhammer, or EverQuest tend to be addictive because they create a rich, online world that gamers can immerse themselves in, which is fine for adults. Children, however, require some supervision and guidance to prevent addiction to these types of games. If you simply don't have the time to monitor your child's gameplay, try switching to casual games. There are plenty of casual games on the market that are easy to pick up and put down, and even encourage social interaction. You can try games like Rock Band, Wii Sports, or Trivial Pursuit.

Create a Rewards System
Television and video games are two of the biggest vices that children have to manage. Just like buying a new toy or giving your child sweets for good behavior, you can create a reward system where your child will have to work for video games. The most obvious example is giving your child a much-wanted game in exchange for good grades. Other creative ways to treat your child could be an hour of gameplay for an hour of chores or after-school sports. I've heard of parents giving their children a limited amount of tickets that are worth an hour of television. This model also applies to video games. The trick is to force your children to diversify their free time in a way that will benefit them in the long-term.

Keep a Strict Schedule
If a reward system is too difficult to keep up with, you may want to try keeping a strict schedule. If your child knows that there is a set time for them to play, it will take away the guessing game from their daily lives. Creating structure will help them knock out their daily tasks, like homework and chores. Schedules are especially important, if you want your child to take part in sports, music, or the arts. If you feel that your child deserves to be rewarded with video games, you should make sure that you establish an acceptable amount of time to let them play. The problem with game addiction is not the game itself, it is a child's the inability to balance video games with the rest of their lives.

Take a Family Trip
If you think that your child is spending too much time playing video games, maybe a family trip is in order. Taking a day to go hiking or a weekend for camping could help your family get back to basics. Going cold turkey, leaving technology behind, and learning to appreciate the simple things in life can give your child a much-needed break. As adults, we could also use a break from our computers and cell phones. Creating family time away from modern technology is a great way to reinforce bonds and clear your heads. There is nothing that can replace good old fashioned fresh air, sunlight, and laughter.

Discuss the Problem
Families that are faced with a serious problem must treat the addiction in a similar manner to other addictions. While video games aren't a physical problem, it is still worth your time to figure out why your child has this psychological disorder. You should ask yourself and your child if there are problems of depression and anxiety in the home. Is your child using video games to fill a void in their lives? If you feel like the problem is overwhelming, you should seek professional advice. Usually, addiction is a symptom of a larger problem. And it is a recognized addiction. Once you recognize the signs of video game addiction, you can help the child who is susceptible to the disorder. It might be worth your while to find out more information on video game addiction, so that you don't mistakenly punish children that do have self-restraint. Chenda Ngak has contributed to GamePro magazine, Star Wars Insider, OMGlists.com, Nerve.com, Flixster.com, Yahoo! Shine, and OrbitzInsider.com. Read her brilliantly illogical tweets at: Twitter.com/ChendaNgak.