Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Establish clear boundaries
• Method 2 of 4: Help your child with the transition
• Method 3 of 4: Encourage other interests
• Method 4 of 4: Assess your child's situation

Most kids love video games. While video games can teach certain skills or be educational, children often spend too much time with a controller in hand. Video games have been linked to childhood obesity and cognitive problems. There's no need to ban video games altogether, but learn to set boundaries and help your child find other activities to do so they can limit the amount of time they spend gaming.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Establish clear boundaries

1. Specify specific rules. Clear, established rules are important to be able to change your child's behavior. By letting the child know exactly what you want, he / she knows what is expected of him / her and there are no ambiguities. You should also state clear consequences for breaking each rule. Talk to your child and indicate the new rules.
   • Don't say, "You can only play video games for a few hours a day and not too late." That's too vague. Instead, you can say, "On school days, you can play video games for an hour. You are not allowed to play after 8 pm. "
   • Expect negative reactions. This makes sense, especially if there were no boundaries before. There may be tantrums, swearing, crying, begging, or even threats. Stay calm. Ignore the outbursts as much as possible, and repeat the consequences for bad behavior.
2. Be clear about consequences. Your child must be given clear measures for breaking the rules. When you set the rules, make sure that the child understands the consequences. Don't be vague about the consequences as this will only lead to confusion.
   • For example: "If you stay calm and calm when you have to stop gaming, and if you don't play after 8:00 pm, then you can play for one hour every day during the week. If you make it a problem, play for more than an hour at a time, or play after 8:00 PM, you won't be allowed to game the next day. "
3. Follow the consequences. After you set boundaries and set consequences, must you are bold. If you let your child get away with breaking the rules without any consequences, he / she will stop taking you seriously and ignore your rules. If your child doesn't follow the rules, make sure to put your word into action.
   • Be consistent when rules are broken. It is tempting to give in when a child is nice or to be extra tough when he / she protests. But consequences must be predictable and clear. This does not mean that you cannot change them, but do not do this without making it clear beforehand and not in an emotional moment.
   • Don't forget that video games not necessary for the health and well-being of your child - it can do without it. Parents sometimes forget that gaming can be completely banned if a child cannot cope with set boundaries. While a child can make a drama out of it if you deny games or the Wi-Fi password, the child can benefit in the end.
4. Use a timer. By setting an alarm and giving your child alerts, you can help them prepare for the end of playtime. Children can really resist change, even when they know it is coming. Warning the child that the time is running out will help them cope with the transition.
   • Give your child warnings when they have 15 and 10 minutes left.
   • Set a timer for five minutes before the end. When the buzzer sounds, indicate that your child has five minutes to stop and that it is time to go to a point in the game where the game can be saved.
5. Insist that your child has done all homework and chores or other tasks every day. Children must complete imposed responsibilities before they have time to play games. This also includes homework and chores. After fulfilling all their responsibilities, their time for gaming is allowed to start.
   • Help your child regard video games as a reward for completing their homework and chores of the day.
6. Place the video game system in a common area. A good way to limit and control a child's game time is to place the consoles and computers in a common area rather than their bedroom. This makes it easier for you to enforce the rules and for your child to follow them.
   • A game console in the children's bedroom gives them too much freedom to play unsupervised whenever they want. Plus, it can lead to too much temptation, especially for a younger child who has trouble following rules.

Method 2 of 4: Help your child with the transition

1. Work with your child on techniques to stop playing video games. Involve your child in the process of restricting gaming. Talk about not playing games that are too exciting or take too much time during the week, or agree on a reward for following game rules.
   • For example, talk to a child that it is wise not to try to complete a level of a game if they don't have time to do so. They can then save it better for the weekend.
   • You and your child can brainstorm rewards for following the rules, be it for a week, a month, or more. Make sure that the reward is not more time for gaming. Instead, come up with other fun rewards together.
2. Slowly reduce time for video games. Rather than banning video games outright, slowly reduce the amount of time your child spends on them. For example, if they used to spend all hours after school on games, limit that to one or two hours at first. Explain to your child why you are limiting the game time, but let him / her know that you like that he / she enjoys the games so much and don't think the child should stop.
   • For example, you can say, "You get angry and yell when I ask you to stop gaming. Your grades have dropped in the past few months because of your video games. This is unacceptable. I want you to enjoy it, but we're going to limit how long you play each day. "
   • Banning video games outright right away is likely to have the opposite effect. You want to improve your child's behavior, not take away something that gives them so much pleasure.
3. Establish a transition routine. Quitting gaming can be difficult and your child may not be able to get out of it completely right away. Help your child give them a physical activity that marks the end of their gaming time. This can help the child get used to switching from the game life to the outside of the game.
   • For example, you can use special language as a signal for the switch. Say something frivolous like, "You are being called back to reality from the realm of fantasy!" Welcome back!'
   • Specify a physical mark. Give your child a glass of water, do some stretching, or a few jumping jacks.
4. Make time for the whole family. Keep your child away from computer games by setting time for the whole family to do an activity together. Family time is then not optional, and every member of the family, both parents and children, must participate.
   • From time to time, let your child choose the activity so that he / she feels able to indicate what things you are going to do. Forcing people to do activities they don't feel like doing can be frustrating.
   • You can ask your child to help make dinner and make dinner a ritual.
   • Take a walk or ride a bike together, play a board game or card game, or watch a movie with the whole family.
   • Indicate the consequences for not participating in family activities. For example, if the child does not participate in a family activity, the hour of gaming will be canceled.
5. Teach your child how to save progress in the game. Many younger children don't know how to navigate the game options and may need help learning how to save the game's progress. If they can save their game and don't feel like all their efforts have been wasted, they are more likely to find it less problematic to quit the game session.
   • Explain to your child that many games take tens or hundreds of hours to complete, which means that the game cannot be completed in one session. Help the child understand that the game is intended to be played in multiple times.
   • When playtime is over, wait for them to save the game and help the child if it is too young to do this themselves. If they are trying to stretch the time by taking too much time to save the game, subtract that time from the game time for the next day. If the child continues to do this, indicate that no more games are allowed to be played for breaking the rules.

Method 3 of 4: Encourage other interests

1. Encourage your child to find other activities. Video games are just one way for kids to enjoy themselves. There are a lot of things they can do, especially if they can't rely on video games. Encourage your child to look for other interests, and if the child can't think of anything, suggest some of your own.
   • Don't be afraid to say no to your child if they want to play video games because "there is nothing else to do."
   • For example, your child may play with other toys, do a play, make music or a movie, read, play outside, engage in something creative such as drawing, writing or crafts, or play a board or card game.
2. Have your child participate in social activities. Gaming is a lonely activity. You can encourage your child to participate in group activities that they enjoy. Brainstorm together and let your child choose which activity they enjoy instead of determining it for him / her.
   • You can try youth groups within your religious institution. Youth institutions in your area, art centers and libraries also offer programs for the youth.
   • Find out what art programs are nearby for theater, music, painting and drawing. you can also search for programs for computers, building, or other handy activities.
   • Recreational sports can be fun for some children, although you should never force children to play sports if they don't like it.
3. Encourage your child to exercise. Overplaying video games has been linked to conditions such as obesity, as gaming is a sedentary activity. To activate your child, you can encourage your child to choose a physical activity that he / she likes. It is important to let your child choose what to do. Encourage your child to try new activities if he / she does not have a favorite.
   • For example, your child can go cycling, skateboarding, dancing, martial arts, recreational sports, swimming or playing outside.

Method 4 of 4: Assess your child's situation

1. Establish an acceptable amount of time for video games. Everyone has a different opinion as to what is acceptable for the time that can be spent on video games. Decide on an acceptable time each day of the week. Some parents limit video games to one hour a day, while others prohibit gaming during the week altogether, and only allow a few hours on weekends.
   • Many healthcare and child development professionals recommend that children spend no more than two hours a day in front of a television or computer screen. Keep this in mind when determining the timeframes you want to set and decide on an acceptable amount of game time that you can relate to.
2. Learn the warning signs of gaming addiction. Some children develop an actual addiction to playing video games. They show specific behavioral, emotional and physical symptoms, such as becoming more isolated from family and friends. It is important for parents to understand what signs and symptoms to look out for so that they can recognize them if such problems develop in their child.
   • For example, your child is unable to stop playing, becomes aggressive or angry when not playing, or loses interest in all other activities. The child becomes irritable or depressed when not playing video games. Children can neglect their personal hygiene, suffer from sleep disturbances and suffer from back or wrist complaints.
3. Contact a health professional if you notice any problems arising. If you think your child is addicted to video games and you have tried in vain to curb their play, you may need to seek the help of a professional. Your child's doctor or a mental health professional can help you and your child make positive changes to your child's behavior and set and maintain boundaries.
   • This may be a good option if your child overreacts to boundaries when it comes to playing games. If your child is acting destructively, aggressively, or threateningly because you are trying to change their gaming behavior, you may need to see a mental health professional.