Electronic games can have a negative impact on children, leading them to addiction and even suicide. Although there are some opinions that see that electronic games contribute to the development of the child in play, increase his skills, activate his areas of interest and so on, the dark side of these games can not be ignored. Electronic game addiction, also known as gaming disorder or internet gaming bill called the Control of Space Invaders (and other Electronic Games) Bill can push your child to commit suicide.
How to tell if your child is addicted to gaming.
It can be hard to tell if your child is addicted to gaming. However, there are some warning signs that you can look out for. If your child is talking about their game incessantly, they play videogames for hours on end, or they think about gaming all the time, then they may be addicted.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your child about their gaming habits and see if they are willing to cut back.
The dangers of online gaming addiction.
Many people enjoy playing video games as a form of entertainment. However, for some people, gaming can become an addiction that can have serious negative consequences. Gaming addiction can lead to social anxiety, vision problems, and even cyberbullying. It is important to be aware of the dangers of online gaming addiction and to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with this issue.
Gaming addiction and suicide: Is there a link?
Video games are often thought of as harmless fun, but there is a growing body of evidence that suggests there may be a link between gaming and suicide. The Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) for 2007-2009 revealed that teenagers who reported five hours or more of daily gaming were twice as likely to have attempted suicide than those who didn’t play video games. The result of correlation analysis revealed that game addiction was associated with suicidality, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and feelings of entrapment.
Problem gaming can be hypothesised to be associated with both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. In sum, it is possible that violent video games increase pain tolerance and decrease fear of death, which is associated with suicidal behavior.
It is also possible that gaming provides a sense of social connectedness and belonging for those who feel isolated in real life, which could lead to suicide attempts when the game is taken away.
You can also read: How do you change your child’s behavior?
Helping a child with a gaming addiction.
As gaming addiction has officially been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a mental health condition, we ask our experts to provide guidance on helping a child with a gaming addiction.
Parents often say that it does not make sense why their child would want to play video games for over 8 hours a day rather than go outside and play. But with kids spending more and more time online, unhealthy gaming habits are prevalent. The World Health Organization recognizes gaming addiction as a mental health disorder, and while it is most common in young adults, it can also affect children.
His parents were at their wits’ end trying to find ways to help him. They’d tried discontinuing their internet service, but he would go to a friend’s house or use his phone to access games. Even taking away his devices didn’t work, as he became increasingly withdrawn and irritable without them.