Is Your Child Addicted to Computer Games?

School is out and the long summer stretches ahead. It should be a time for outdoor fun, playing with friends, baseball games, reading, craft projects and lemonade stands; but many children spend their summers glued to the computer, playing games on the Internet for hours on end. Gaming, which seems to be particularly appealing to males, can be addictive. While the subject is still under study, gaming seems to trigger compulsive behaviors in some people.

It can be difficult to tell whether a child’s competitive interest in gaming has crossed the line into internet addiction. The following warning signs can indicate a problem:

• Your child loses track of time while on the computer.
• He’d rather play computer games than play with friends or engage in other activities that have interested him in the past.
• You child neglects chores and other responsibilities.
• Your child lies to you about his computer use, changes the screen quickly when you walk into the room or sneaks computer time.
• He talks constantly about games, game personas and strategies.
• Your child becomes irritable or rebellious when told to turn off the computer.

Gaming and overuse of computers has been cited as contributing to feelings of social isolation and loneliness, particularly in teens. It can exacerbate anxiety and depression and may trigger obsessive compulsive behaviors. Experts fear that the sedentary aspect of gaming is contributing to an increasing array of physical health problems, like obesity, among U.S. children.

If you feel your child has a problem with computer gaming, you will have to help him modify his behavior:

• Monitor computer use. Keep the computer in a common area so you can keep track of Internet activity.
• Set clear limits for realistic computer use; for instance, allowing gaming for a set period of time each day.
• Talk to your child. Gaming can mask underlying issues like an inability to fit in at school, bullying, depression or other emotional problems.
• Help your child replace gaming with healthy activities such as team sports, scouts, hobbies and clubs. Encourage social interaction with peers.

If you don’t see improvement, your child may need professional psychiatric help to end his dependence on computer games. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can helping children successfully stop compulsive Internet behaviors and learn to live a happy, well-balanced life.