Recognizing Signs of Gaming-Induced Behavioral Changes in Children

Behavioral changes in children, accompanied by disrupted eating and sleeping patterns, may indicate gaming addiction.

Recognize signs such as increased anger, diminished interest in daily routines, and disrupted sleep and eating habits in your child—these may indicate a need for consultation with a medical expert. Experts at a special session organized by Lucknow University’s social work department in association with Head Digital Works (HDW), highlight a connection between gaming addiction and notable behavioral changes in both children and adults (). Experts also threw light on responsible online gaming and tips for de-addiction from online gaming.

Clinical psychologist Dr. P.K. Khatri said: “If anyone around you shows such symptoms then do not hesitate to get help from a counselor.”

Gaming Addiction: What Parents Need to Know
While setting limits is important, it is equally important to make children aware of both the health benefits and potential harms of video games.

‘Behavioral changes like heightened anger, reduced interest in daily life, and altered sleep and eating patterns in your child signal the importance of consulting a medical expert. Experts point out that gaming addiction is influencing the behavior of both children and adults. #gamingaddiction, #child, #anger, #behavioralchanges ’

He said that the biggest issue is that people do not accept that they have developed a gaming addiction. And, even if they do, they do not look for its cure. “Also, people are unaware of the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

If one is addicted to gaming, then the person should first consult a psychologist, A few counseling sessions by a psychologist may help handle the issue, if not, then approach a psychiatrist,” he added.

Gaming Is Shaping Behavior — When to Worry?

Students -- if they are fond of gaming -- should do it responsibly. “Responsible gaming ensures playing online games with a Random Number Generator (RNG) certificate. Those with these certificates ensure that outcomes of such games are truly random and not biased towards any particular player or group of players,” said head HDW Rohit Chauhan.

He said that this means that every player has an equal chance of winning or losing, and the outcome of each game is not predetermined or influenced by any external factors.

Gaming Addiction Just as Bad as Booze and Drugs
Computer games can be as costly and debilitating as drug and alcohol dependence.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, West, Lucknow, and Cyber expert Chiranjeevi Nath Sinha said: “All presenters should cover cameras of their mobile or laptop while playing games online since everything is being recorded today and we could be a victim of online fraud or scams.”

He also talked about the deep fake technology majorly used in pornography and breaching a person’s right to privacy.

Men Can Control Themselves Less When They Are Addicted To Gaming
The changes in brain activities were found only in men with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), but not in women, finds a new study.

Senior vice president of HDW, Siddharth Sharma, said: “Online gaming is like sweets that taste great but having it every day will make you unhealthy. Online gaming should not change your way of life, it is only a part of life.”

State Education Minister Sandeep Singh said: “Youth should channelize their energy towards the betterment of the country rather than wasting time on online games. Game addiction has made our youth physically inactive, socially absent, and poor at communication skills.”

Internet Gaming Disorder: The New Behavioral Addiction
Internet Gaming Disorder, also known as online gaming addiction, has become a new behavioral addiction among the younger generation.

Reference:

Gaming addiction causes behavioural changes: Experts - (https://www.mdclip.in/contents/news/gaming-addiction-causes-behavioural-changes-experts)

Source-IANS