How to Stop Video Game Addiction

Video game addiction is an issue that has garnered increasing amounts of attention in recent years as the video game industry has exploded in popularity to become one of the world's biggest entertainment outlets. With video games becoming increasingly more life-like and engrossing, some people are finding it harder and harder to shut them off, and some even cross into more problematic behavior such as addiction. While this issue is not currently classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the handbook for mental health diseases, research has shown that gamers often display many of the same behaviors – and negative side affects – as those battling other types of addiction. Despite the lack of a label as a true "addiction," the question remains – how to stop video game addiction?

This question gains added significance when the individual involved is a child, as the negative consequences associated with gaming addiction can cause serious problems at a time when the young person is developing the most. Studies have shown that video game addiction and excessive gaming can cause serious social and behavioral changes in a person, and potentially even nuerological changes as well. When a problem becomes so deeply ingrained in a person, how to stop video game addiction might seem like an overwhelming problem.

However, if you are a parent of a child that seems to love their video games a bit too much and might be displaying signs of a potential problem with overuse, speak with your family doctor. Professional medical help should always be your first resource, but if you're also looking to take action at home and figure out how to stop video game addiction before it starts, the Mikko Que can help. This innovative device gives you unprecedented ability to monitor and control your child's screen time on video games, TV, the Internet, and more.

With the Mikko Que you can reduce the use of electronic devices by decreasing your child's time allowance over a period of time.  For example, in a given month you might allow your child 10 hours a day of use. Then, you can reduce usage to eight hours a day the next month and so on until your child's media consumption is more in line with recommended standards. This technique is less obtrusive and will result in less resistance.  It will also give parents the peace of mind that during sleeping hours their children are not up watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the Internet.

Contact us today for more information on the Mikko Que and how it can help you create a healthy, effective system for teaching your children responsible media consumption and time management skills.

Media Management for Children … It’s time.