How can parents gauge whether their child’s video-gaming might be problematic?
The amount of time spent on video games can be a sign of problematic behaviour, but time on its own is not the sole indicator. Time needs to be considered in conjunction with other factors.
Some other factors to consider:
- Continuing to game despite negative effects on work, school, family life, health, sleep, hygiene, finances or social relationships
- Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of the above negative consequences
- Decrease in impulse control/ poorer emotion regulation/ social withdrawal /increased irritability
- Aggression and threats over requests to conclude games
- Anxiety/obsessive thinking when spending time away from video games.
Which video games have a higher risk of problematic use?
MMOs are massively multiplayer online games and MMORPGs are massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs are a subset of MMOs).
MMOs are online video games with large numbers of players (in the hundreds or thousands) on the same server.
MMORPGs are online video games where large numbers of players take part in a role-playing context. They play within an ever-changing virtual world. To keep the gaming experience evolving, MMORPGs allow players to form alliances, interact within the game, customise their avatars and even create some of the game content.
What makes these games more likely to be problematic?
1. There is no pre-defined ending to these games; players don’t easily come to a feeling of “game over.”
2. Players form teams and alliances. It can be hard to stop some games in the middle of a battle since there are penalties for quitting, and children might feel they are letting teammates down.
3. These games often have forms of in-game currency. As players amass more virtual wealth (by spending time playing and completing tasks), the wealth translates into greater power, control, respect, influence, status, and purchasing power. Players have a lot of investment in the game.
4. Rewards are not given for short periods of play.
5. These games are immersive, and it is easy to lose track of time while playing. Addictive video games can also allow players to immerse themselves in a fully-realised virtual world. You can create your own character with attributes you wish you had in real life. You can form relationships, develop a career, and accomplish things that could be impossible (or require far more effort) in the real world.
6. Because the virtual world and online experience is mostly user generated, gamers can experience strong emotions (through wars, betrayal, friendship, romance, marriages, funerals etc. within the game). The intensity of emotions experienced online can be similar to emotions experienced in the real world.
From https://www.techopedia.com/definition/1919/massively-multiplayer-online-role-playing-game-mmorpg
http://www.techaddiction.ca/why_are_video_games_addictive.html
What can parents do to set limits on video-gaming?
See: https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/does-my-child-have-a-video-game-addiction-how-to-set-limits-around-video-game-use/ (including: how to take things slowly with your child and how to encourage responsible behaviour in your child) and some more general safety tips in: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/gaming#creating-a-safer-gaming-environment
Lastly, note that some players may be drawn to excessive gaming in order to distract themselves from other issues (they may not even be aware of the other issues). Gaming might help them avoid social situations, or distract them from feelings of low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, or help them to cope with a major life stressor (e.g. a recent death in the family).
If you suspect your child has problematic video-gaming behaviours, if your child has been violent over video games, or you suspect your child needs support in dealing with other challenging issues (as mentioned above) seek help from your GP or a counsellor.
You might find the quiz in this link helpful before you decide to seek help: https://virtual-addiction.com/greenfield-video-game-addiction-test-gvgat/