What should I do if my child becomes addicted to playing games

Children's addiction to games can be improved through establishing rules, transferring interests, parent-child interaction, environmental control, and professional intervention. Game addiction is usually caused by factors such as stress avoidance, social loss, strained family relationships, dopamine dependence, and imitative behavior.

1. Establish rules

Develop a clear game schedule, such as not exceeding 1 hour per day and avoiding study periods. Using timer assisted execution, the device will automatically shut down after timeout. The rules need to be followed by the whole family to avoid psychological imbalance in children caused by parents playing with their phones. In the initial stage, a transition period can be set to gradually reduce the duration of a single game.

2. Transfer interests

Introduce alternative activities based on the child's personality traits, such as basketball or swimming for sports, and painting or musical instruments for art. Organize outdoor adventures, museum visits, and other fresh experiences on weekends to stimulate natural curiosity. Pay attention to observing the child's true interests and avoid forcing arrangements that may trigger resistance.

3. Parent child interaction

30 minutes of high-quality companionship every day, engaging in offline interactions such as board games and handicrafts. Through family meetings, understand children's social needs in games and assist in building real-life friendships. Parents should learn basic game knowledge and use equal dialogue instead of preaching, such as guiding time management awareness when discussing game strategies.

4. Environmental Control

Place electronic devices in public areas and maintain a screen free environment in the bedroom. Use parental control function to restrict game types and consumption functions, and remove mobile devices 2 hours before bedtime. Establish rules for dining without electronic devices and focus on family communication during meal times.

5. Professional Intervention

When serious situations such as truancy and day night reversal occur, a child psychologist needs to assess whether there is an internet addiction disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy can improve impulse control, while family therapy can repair communication patterns. When necessary, use emotion regulating drugs under the guidance of a doctor and cooperate with regular psychological counseling. Improving game addiction requires gradual progress, and parents need to maintain emotional stability and avoid intense conflicts. Can record the child's behavior change curve and evaluate and adjust strategies every two weeks. Pay attention to ensuring sufficient sleep and a balanced diet. Vitamin B and magnesium elements help regulate the nervous system. When developing time management skills, it is recommended to use visual tools such as a planning board and provide non-material rewards after achieving goals. If a child shows signs of anxiety or depression, they should seek timely assistance from a school psychologist.