My child is playing too much Minecraft, what can I do?
If you’re concerned about the amount of time your child is spending in the Minecraft world then look no further! We have plenty of resources to help wean your child off of that o-so-very-sweet Minecraft nectar.
What is Video Game addiction?
First, we need to understand Video Game Addiction. So what better way to do this than listening to experts on the matter.
Why Gaming Addiction is on the Rise
Video game addiction described by Dr Richard Graham.
Al Jazeera English. (2018, October 27). Richard Graham: Why gaming addiction is on the rise | Talk to Al Jazeera [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0feYveBG_4&feature=youtu.be
How Gaming Affects Dopamine Reward Circuitry
Dr. Alok Kanojia breaks down the mechanisms that make people addicted to video games and compare them to more traditional addictions such as alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
HealthyGamerGG. (2019, Jan 25). How Gaming Affects Dopamine Reward Circuitry | Episode 004 Video Game Addiction [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_1eRqcJnes
Jolyon Jenkins asks why UK children are hooked on the computer game Minecraft.
Jolyon Jenkins interviews parents about their children’s Minecraft Addictions.
Jolyon Jenkins. (2015). Minecraft: More than a Game. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b05mqpgl
Recommendations and Resources to Help your Child Overcome Video Game Addiction
Now that we know the dangers of Video Game Addiction we can start to implement preventative measures so that your child stays healthy!
Media Policy Brief
Page 30 of this Brief outlines ways that parents can determine whether their child’s media exposure is problematic. Page 12 of the brief also provides some steps to take to prevent media addiction.
Quick tip: Try using the CTRL + F command to bring up the search tool within the Policy Brief. After bringing up the search tool trying searching for the term “Parents” to bring up parts of the Policy that are referencing parents!
London School of Economics and Policital Science. (2016). Media Policy Brief 17. Retrieved from http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/66927/1/Policy%20Brief%2017-%20Families%20%20Screen%20Time.pdf
Healthy Gamer GG Blog
World-class addictions expert Dr. Alok Kanojia provides resources for parents looking to help their children break video game addiction.
Quick tip: Healthy Gamer GG has a Youtube channel with plenty of content regarding Mental Health and Video Games. Check em out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClHVl2N3jPEbkNJVx-ItQIQ
HealthyGamerGG. (2020). Help Your Gamer Find Balance. Retrieved from https://www.healthygamer.gg/parents/
Healthy Gamer GG Action Plan
This action plan will help you build a framework to help break your child’s video game addiction.
HealthyGamerGG. (2020). Regain Control From Video Games with the Healthy Gamer Action Plan. Retrieved from https://signup.healthygamer.gg/action-plan/