Navigating the Delicate Balance: Addressing Video Game Addiction in Youth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of young people, leading many to turn to video games as a creative outlet during periods of isolation. However, as pandemic-era restrictions have lifted, concerns have arisen about the potential for video game addiction among children. In this in-depth exploration, we delve into the perspectives of a social worker and a parent, shedding light on the nuances of this complex issue and offering insights on how to strike a healthy balance between technology and real-world engagement.

Empowering Youth in the Digital Age

The Pros and Cons of Video Game Engagement

Justin Harper, a social worker and teacher at Slauson Middle School in Ann Arbor, acknowledges the dual nature of video games in the lives of children. While he believes there is nothing inherently wrong with children using their free time to play video games, he cautions that excessive gameplay can have negative consequences. Harper has observed instances where students become overly focused on gaming, leading to sleep deprivation and academic struggles. "What I see is that sometimes kids get too focused on those games, and they're staying up real late at night and then also coming to school very tired, which is actually having an impact on how they do academically," he explains.Harper also notes that video game addiction can have a detrimental impact on other areas of a child's life, such as proper nutrition and overall well-being. "I've seen some examples in the classroom where kids are staying up late at night, and you'll hear stories from the parents … [that] as soon as they have an opportunity where they think their parents are asleep or parents are actually asleep, they're getting right back on the games," he says. "Some of them are not even going to sleep. I've actually seen this personally and, yeah, it's a negative impact … and it's just not healthy."

Striking a Healthy Balance

To address the issue of video game addiction, Harper emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and monitoring. He advises parents to take a more active role in controlling the amount of time their children spend gaming. "Even if you have to do it vigorously, monitor what's going on at home with the kids and make sure that they're not playing these games too often," he suggests. "It shouldn't be impacting the daily things that are important throughout the day that are necessary."However, Harper also acknowledges the ubiquitous nature of technology in modern society and the need to find a balanced approach. "Ultimately, our society is technology. It's always going to be around, so I think monitoring and managing to the best of our ability is a step forward," he says.

Parental Perspectives: Navigating the Challenges

From the parent's perspective, Greg Myers, a father of four children in Washtenaw County schools, shares the challenges of finding the line between excessive gaming and full-blown addiction. Myers recognizes that the digital landscape has evolved significantly since his own childhood, and he believes that his younger children may have a better understanding of how to interact with technology without becoming addicted."My 7-year-old, she's on her phone; she was born into a world that had phones," Myers says. "I wasn't. So I think she will have the wherewithal to know and understand how to interact with her phone and not become addicted to it. I think adults sometimes kind of get panicked about things that we don't necessarily know the answers to."At the same time, Myers acknowledges that managing his children's gaming habits can be a delicate balancing act. "I would say with my kids, it can become a little overwhelming. Like, they can play maybe too long. And that's why we had to decide to take the games away from them during the school year," he explains.Myers also reflects on his own experiences with video game addiction during his younger years, recognizing that this personal history can make it challenging to determine the appropriate boundaries for his children. "I think it's hard as a parent to know exactly when it becomes an addiction and when it's just playing the game," he says. "I think if you take it away from them [and] they're very emotional about it, that could be a sign of being addicted."

Fostering Healthy Alternatives and Community Support

While acknowledging the potential risks of video game addiction, both Harper and Myers emphasize the importance of providing children with alternative outlets and a supportive community. Harper suggests that "community is important" and that having a network of adults who can "support and look after the kids" can be crucial in promoting healthy development."As a parent, I think that community is important," Harper adds. "I think even if your kids are outside, do you have the community around you that can support and look after the kids? You know, when I was younger, we families were connected to make sure that kids were safe again."Harper also highlights the value of real-world experiences and social engagement in fostering critical thinking and creativity, which can sometimes be overlooked in the digital realm. "I would never be the person to tell a parent what to do because that's their lives and they're going to raise their kids the way that they want. So I think it's just a balance on both sides. But ultimately, some of the critical thinking [and] creative thoughts come mostly from actually being social and getting out there and engaging in real-life experiences."By striking a balance between technology and real-world engagement, and fostering a supportive community, parents and educators can help guide young people towards a healthier relationship with video games and a more well-rounded development.