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How to Get Kids Off Video Games


Many kids love video games. They can take on the role of someone different (like be Batman) and do creative and fun things (like build their own world). Let’s look at the symptoms of chronic gameplay and find some practical solutions you can start implementing to help your child have healthy boundaries with video games.

The Good and Bad of Video Games

First off, you should know you are not alone. Practically every parent in America (and other countries) are battling the war on screens. Kids spend their days doing school work on screens then come home to play on screens before watching a family movie on the television and listening to music on their phone as they fall asleep. 

In order to win a war, you need a few weapons and you need to know your enemy. Okay, video games are really not the enemy as they offer value to the world, but it’s time to find some moderation with the screen. Let’s look at the benefits of video games and the common symptoms of video game addiction.

Benefits of Video Games

I’m sure you think, like most parents, that video games are turning your kid’s brain into mush while simultaneously ruining their eyesight. Don’t worry, your kids are fine, and they are even gaining some practical benefits from some of their video games. 

First, using a video game controller can improve coordination and even problem-solving skills. Second, as odd as it seems, video games improve social skills as kids like to play games together and work as a team to defeat their enemy. Some video games can even improve grey matter, which leads to better brain connectivity. 

In addition, video games can even improve attention, dedication and help with job-related skills too. Furthermore, gaming can help kids transition into the future as technology abounds. Children need to know how to operate technology to be considered for many jobs after school.

However, as we all know, too much of a good thing leads to addiction. While video games clearly offer quite a few benefits, life offers so much more than battling non-existent enemies. The symptoms are easy to spot so keep the below in mind to know if your child needs to cut back on gaming.

Symptoms of Video Game Addiction

If your kids eat, sleep, and think about video games all day, they might be addicted. Children who neglect all other aspects of their lives and choose video games instead need to cut back. For example, your child may need to step back from the controller if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:

  • Not playing with friends
  • Not getting outside (biking, running, etc.)
  • Not reading
  • Ignoring school work
  • Not visiting family
  • Skipping chores
  • Ignoring hobbies

Some boys and girls are so deep into the land of video games they lose interest in food and have issues focusing on anything else. Others have physical problems like migraines, eye strain, and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Gaming addiction can affect mood, cause fatigue, irritability, preoccupation, lying, isolation, and lack of hygiene. 

The problem is, children are not born with self-control as it’s a learned process. You, as the parent, need to educate your child on what self-control looks like by being a good role-model and setting boundaries. Many parents have run out of ideas to combat video game addiction and that’s where we come in. 

Below are the top nine ways to help your child cut out their video game addiction and learn to interact with the world again. 

9 Steps to Detox Kids from Video Games

1 – Fill Up Their Schedule

It’s a fact that kids with busy schedules don’t have as much time for video games. Sure, youths are full of ways to sneak in a quick session on the screen, but with a jam-packed schedule, they will have less time to do so. This option is a little harder with the current pandemic, but you can find ways to fill up their time, even if it is on a computer screen for educational lessons. 

Find out what your child is interested in and get them in a class. If your child doesn’t have any specific interests, then try several! Consider yoga, gymnastics, soccer, football, dance, pilates, swimming, and more. 

For children who have zero interest in sports, consider classes like art, coding, drawing, comics, or horseback riding. Classes can often be found online or in person. When in doubt, check out your child’s school for classes or at the local community club. 

Classes and lessons can get expensive, but you can find some classes that are less expensive or even free. Look up local parent meetups or check out local churches for groups to be a part of. At home, encourage books or activities they love and spending tons of time playing with friends.

Don’t forget family time either! Have game nights with your kids, go for hikes, walks, and do other activities with your children. Most importantly, leave the electronics at home.

Finally, invest in hobbies besides games and electronics. Purchase sports equipment, art equipment, books, or even parts to build things. You don’t need to spend a fortune either if you buy used products or find them on sale. 

2 – Set Limits with Timers

Setting a  doesn’t just reduce the amount of time your child spends on video games but it helps to set healthy habits for lTimerife. Everyone has to learn how to box their time appropriately, even with things they love. Starting early helps teach your kids how to maintain boundaries and follow the rules. 

Give your child a set amount of time they can spend on video games, whether it be one hour or more. Have them set an actual timer and not go by looking at the clock as most kids will find an excuse if a timer doesn’t ding when their time is done. 

sand timers
Visual hourglass timers so my son and I can both see how much time he has left.

The most important part is when the timer goes off. At this point, give your child(ren) two minutes to finish up what they are doing and then turn off the video game. Then, immediately have your son or daughter go plug the game into the charger (or put controllers away where they go), so you know exactly where to find the game to prevent sneaking. 

Speaking of chargers, they need to be in a visible spot you can see. If they say they are charging the controller or handheld in their room, it’s probably on the floor. Protect your investment and make sure it’s cared for by keeping it visible. 

3 – Keep Video Games in Specific Rooms

Another very simple way to keep video games limited is to keep them in rooms you and your spouse frequent. The living room, dining room, family room, or den are great choices. Bedrooms are for sleeping and should not be for video games if at all possible, especially if you rarely enter your child’s room. 

With games being placed and stored where you can see them, you are more able to track how long your child plays and what video games he/she is playing. 

When someone plays video games, they are typically sitting. Get your child moving by linking video games to exercise. No, we don’t mean have them play on their Switch while on the treadmill as that would be dangerous. Instead, have them exercise to get electronics. 

Set up a system where they can earn thirty minutes of game time for thirty minutes of exercise. You can even combine this with other forms or reward-based game time. 

Another option is to get a FitBit or Garmin Fitness Tracker, and for every one thousand steps, they can earn twenty minutes of time playing video games. Consider allowing electronics after their group sport or riding their bike. Whatever exercise will work best for your child, pick that and encourage them to expend energy before they spend a few hours sitting on their bottom. 

Of course, there are lots of ways to play video games actively, such as with a Wii console, but still keep in mind that they are still looking at a screen.

5 – No Electronics When Eating

The next rule is very simple; no electronics while eating because kids will not pay attention to how much or what they are eating and likely overeat while playing games. Not to mention food and drink can ruin video games and make them filthy too. 

One fabulous way to keep this rule is to be consistent with family dinners. When the whole family sits at the table together without any electronics (yes, I just told you to keep your phone off the table too), it is a chance to discuss the day, talk about school work, and find time to laugh together. More importantly, when dinner is an event in itself, kids will learn by example to make healthy eating a priority. 

6 – Challenge Your Child

Let’s say you know your child has a personal goal they want to reach, like learning how to speak Japanese. Use that interest to set a challenge to reward time for video games. What this will do is teach your child to set mini-goals to achieve long term goals for themselves. 

Often in life, we have big dreams we want to attain and need to start small, and of course, we want rewards for those small achievements. Just like we would reward ourselves for losing ten pounds with a nice meal out, teach your children to reward their accomplishments and keep them on the path of learning. 

7 – Fending Off “One More Minute Mom”

Children will push every limit, which means you need to be clear and consistent. When they inevitably ask for one more minute, the answer needs to be “no” without an explanation. If you give a reason (they already know the reason), then you are leaving room for arguments and exceptions. 

Let your “no” be a firm “no” for their benefit. In the real world, if your child argues for more time, it can cause serious complications with their job. Instead, teach them when the time is up, they are off and it’s time to go plug their device in. 

8 – Stop Battling Boundaries 

To reiterate the last point, set clear boundaries. If you make an exception one time, your kids will expect an exception every time. The way to combat this is not to make exceptions with clear boundaries and let your “no” be a decisive “no.” 

When your child does push boundaries, reiterate the rules and do not leave room for discussion. The rules are in place for a reason, and children need to learn rules, not make rules. Parents set the rules and children follow them.

9 – Be Clear About Consequences

Once rules are set, you must have consequences. Before you think consequences are harsh, remember life has natural consequences, and it’s the normal progression of rule-breaking. The consequences do not need to be major but rather natural. 

If your child breaks a rule, they lose electronics. Mind you, children will break the same rule multiple times and get the same punishment multiple times. This does not mean the consequence isn’t working; it means your child is doing what children do, testing boundaries. 

Now, you need to do what parents do and be consistent. Also, try not to take your child’s rule-breaking personal (raises hand). Children learn by doing, and you need to set a calm example and just be consistent until the information magically syncs into your kid’s head the fifty-millionth time you apply consequences. 

Final Thoughts

Breaking kids of a video game addiction isn’t easy but is accomplishable with consistency. Remember, you need to give your children something else to do by figuring out their interests and investing in those activities. Maybe incorporating board games will excite your child’s competitive side! If you set rules and enforce them, then you will see results. 

Keep in mind, sometimes playing video games is okay and actually beneficial, but it needs to be on your terms. Make sure you can see your children playing video games so you’re aware of what they’re playing and for how long. Make sure they take personal care of the electronics and that they don’t drink nor eat with their devices. Follow these steps and bring your child back into the real world. 

Sources

  1. Impact of video games on plasticity of the hippocampus, www.nature.com
  2. APA PsycNet…, psycnet.apa.org
  3. Video Game Addiction…, www.addictioncenter.com

Adrina Palmer is a stay-at-home-mom to three wonderful children and a wife to an amazing husband. She has a bachelors degree in Religion from Liberty University and works as a blogger, copywriter, and reviewer. Adrina is a Christian hoping to help other stay-at-home moms find the joy and simplicity as a mother and wife. In her free time she enjoys many crafts, writing, spending time with family, and reading. She would love to hear from you!



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