Gaming

Gaming Ban: Signs and Tips to Combat Teen Gaming Addictions

Published

3 years ago

September 16, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

With the Chinese government banning under-18s from playing online games for more than an hour a day, RantCasino.com were eager to establish the primary signs that your teen is addicted to gaming.

Alongside this, in-house expert Laura O’Brien outlines top tips for weaning your teen off gaming.

Signs your teen is addicted to gaming:

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Increased agitation and aggression

One of the earliest signs of a gaming addiction in teenagers and young adults is increased agitation and aggression. As with most addictions, people are prone to intensified mood swings when experiencing withdrawals, making times such as the morning and coming in from school or work periods of heightened emotion. Such agitation can be amplified by the type of games your teen is playing; consistent exposure to violent games, can subconsciously promote such behaviour. Increased agitation can affect relationships both inside and outside the home environment.

Lack of concentration

Struggling to concentrate or seeming consistently detached and preoccupied is another sign that your teen is addicted to gaming. As a result of the intense visual and auditory stimuli of video games, the real world and everyday interactions become dull and un-fulfilling in comparison. Such a detachment and lack of interest can quickly begin to affect performance in school and extra-curricular activities.

Changes to schedule

Increased screen time is continuously linked to lack of sleep which in turns disrupts a teen’s routine. Such disruption to a teen’s schedule will amplify the other symptoms of mood swings and a lack of concentration. Alongside this with any addiction, you can become preoccupied with an activity to the point of neglecting essential daily tasks. Over time, a teenager will put less time into his or her appearance, cleanliness and overall health.

Tips to combat a gaming addiction:

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the key when trying to alter someone’s behaviour for the better. Offering consistent praise for doing exercise, working hard at school and on homework, as well as helping around the house will provide gratification and motivation to keep up productive and social activities. Negative reinforcement in this instance could cause resentment and increase urges to play video games.

Alternative activities

Prompting your teen to be social and try new activities will keep them busy and over time, make them more inclined to crave social interaction as opposed to digital stimulus, promoting a healthier relationship with gaming. Even small steps within the home like having dinner together or going on a walk will offer positive distraction and interaction.

No Gaming in bedroom

No gaming in the bedroom is vital when trying to combat a gaming addiction. Having 24-hour access will inevitably lead to late night gaming and disruption of schedule. Ensuring games are played in communal areas will reduce temptation and allow you to better monitor your teens gaming habits.

FreezeNova

10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

10-15%-of-gamers-in-florida-show-signs-of-gaming-addiction:-here-are-10-signs-your-kid-is-suffering-from-it-(and-how-you-can-help)

Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs

If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

Published

6 days ago

December 17, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

synot-games-officially-certifies-over-140-games-in-brazil

SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

Gaming

SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

spga-introduces-code-of-conduct-to-highlight-member-commitment-to-compliance-and-safety-in-social-and-promotional-gaming

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.

The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure:

Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older
Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC)
Location verification of customers
AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA.

“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”

In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.