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March 12, 2009 09:14 AM
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Depending on age, I would start talking to him about what he gets out of spending so much time on the game. That will clue me in on what need is being met by this behavior. Then I would try to figure out how to get that need met, but in a different way.
If it turns out his need is to connect with others, I would find a way to get him involved in some kind of club with people who share his interests. If it turns out his need is to shoot guns, I might get him involved in a gun club (no, seriously). This might show him how powerful and deadly guns are and might put him off the game. It would also show him how to be safe with guns .
Now... my style of therapy/parenting... I would have probably sat with him while he plays and asked him a bunch of questions (in the guise of trying to "understand" him) and become somewhat annoying. I would do this every time he plays. He would then start associating playing the game with my annoying behavior.
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As long as it's not affecting their schoolwork or other things, then spending a lot of time playing videogames should not be considered a big deal. There are tons of kids who spend hours upon hours watching TV, but if they spent the same amount of time playing videogames, people freak out and call them obsessed. Age appropriate videogames are not a bad way for a child to spend free time. They are actually very good for cognitive development, stress relief and online games are a great social outlet. There have been numerous studies that support all of the above. Here's a tip for parents who like to complain that their kids are "obsessed" with games. Try playing with them! You'll likely be surprised at the amount of bonding you can do with your child by taking an interest in their interests.
*getting down off my soapbox now
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If you were a parent how would you have handled his "obsession" with counterstrike
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| March 12, 2009 01:53 PM |
If it turns out his need is to connect with others, I would find a way to get him involved in some kind of club with people who share his interests. If it turns out his need is to shoot guns, I might get him involved in a gun club (no, seriously). This might show him how powerful and deadly guns are and might put him off the game. It would also show him how to be safe with guns .
Now... my style of therapy/parenting... I would have probably sat with him while he plays and asked him a bunch of questions (in the guise of trying to "understand" him) and become somewhat annoying. I would do this every time he plays. He would then start associating playing the game with my annoying behavior.
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Other Answers (3)
March 12, 2009 07:33 PM
With no story to reference, here's my general feeling about kids spending time with videogames. As long as it's not affecting their schoolwork or other things, then spending a lot of time playing videogames should not be considered a big deal. There are tons of kids who spend hours upon hours watching TV, but if they spent the same amount of time playing videogames, people freak out and call them obsessed. Age appropriate videogames are not a bad way for a child to spend free time. They are actually very good for cognitive development, stress relief and online games are a great social outlet. There have been numerous studies that support all of the above. Here's a tip for parents who like to complain that their kids are "obsessed" with games. Try playing with them! You'll likely be surprised at the amount of bonding you can do with your child by taking an interest in their interests.
*getting down off my soapbox now
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