Tips to Help Your Child Avoid Video Game Addiction

By Dr. Barry Slone

An increasing body of research suggests that video game addiction does in fact exist and often produces psychological and physiological reactions similar to those found with substance addictions. Parents who want to help their children avoid becoming addicted to video games can start by following a few simple prevention strategies:

1. Do not allow your child to start playing video games at a young age. Pushing off the age that a child starts playing video games also delays the exposure to the brain chemicals that may lead to addiction. In addition, not having video games may help your child develop other interests, thus reducing some of his desire for them in the first place.

2. Place firm limits on the use of video games. Keep the video games in the main room of the house, and encourage the family to join in. This will also help avoid overexposure.

3. Video games should not be used as a reward. Doing homework and chores should be seen as ways of building responsibility, rather than as a precursor to an extended session of video games.

About Dr. Barry Slone: As a cognitive behavioral therapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Barry Slone focuses on providing solution-based therapy in such areas as anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and substance abuse problems, including video game addiction.