Podcast summary and Notes on " gaming therapy"

Read The Negative Effects of Video Games (Parent Guide) on the SmartSocial.com Blog: https://smartsocial.com/negative-effects-video-games/

Learn more about Open Sky Wilderness Therapy: https://www.openskywilderness.com/utilizing-wilderness-therapy-to-treat-gaming-disorder/

Gaming disorder is considered a mental health condition

In 2018, the World Health Organization officially began recognizing gaming disorder as a mental health condition

According to World Health Organization, there are 3 signs that someone might be struggling with gaming disorder:

Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)
Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences

According to Dr. Mike Bishop, tech addiction expert, these red flags indicate that your child is struggling with screen time and gaming:

Short tempers that are aggravated by screen time. If your kids are playing video games, you can sometimes see them getting frustrated at the game. Watch out for a quick temper and see if the game has got control over their mood
Kids are not able to self-soothe when they’re playing video games. This translates into the next point, which is having problems going to sleep or waking up in the morning
Having access to a device every night. If we let our kids use devices without limits set, without some rules and structure, they’re going to take their devices to bed with them and they’re going to be up at night browsing social media or playing games. Research says, allowing your child to have a TV or device in their room unchecked at night results in less sleep and having a harder time waking up in the morning
Passing up face-to-face activities for screen time activities. Another major red flag is when you see your child passing up normal opportunities for socialization or outside play

Before giving your student access to a new game, ask them to explain why they want to play it. Then, spend some time playing the game on your own and decide if it is safe for your family to play. Know that your child has perhaps already played it at their friend’s house
Schedule game time and set time limits beforehand
Teach your children that video games are only to be played in moderation (or, best of all, as a family)
Challenge your student to find offline activities they enjoy and can add to their resume
Have an open dialog about video games with your children. Consider talking about the dangers of playing with strangers, sharing personal information in chats, graphic video game content, and bullying behavior
Model positive screen time behaviors around your children
Always supervise game time (and play with them, if possible)

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View the top parental control software for 2020: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
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Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
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enJune 18, 2020