How can you keep gaming fun?

Look for information about gaming. You can also do this together with your child. If you are well informed, you can better explain why you set certain limits.

• Look into the games your child plays
  You can find game trailers on YouTube, which give you an idea of what a game looks like. Whether a game is suitable can be checked with the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating system. Its logos show whether games may pose a risk to younger children and whether harmful behaviour, such as violence and bad language, occurs.
• Learn about gaming
  Know what the risks and effects of gaming can be. Your child is also an important source of information. They can tell you what they enjoy so much about gaming, and tell you more about the game they play.
• Good posture
  If your child spends a lot of time gaming, it is important that they sit in the right posture. This video (in Dutch) explains what good posture is:
  

A subject is open for discussion when you and your child feel that you can freely say what you want, without a consequence or punishment always lurking. That is easier if you already do this about other subjects, and at times when gaming is not causing any problems.
Keeping it open for discussion does not mean you should bring up the subject at every opportunity. But don’t ignore it when there is a reason to talk about it.

• Especially with young children, it is important to set clear limits. But older children need limits too. See if you can reach agreements together. If a child has helped come up with an agreement, they will probably stick to it better. Agreements can cover how long your child may game, how often, at what times and which games they may play.
• Crossing limits is simply part of it; children test how far they can go. That is exactly when clarity on your part is important.
• Discuss with other parents which rules they have about gaming. These don’t have to be your rules, but you can take them into account in the agreements you make with your child.
• Gaming a lot can also cause physical complaints. Together with your child, you can look at how they can limit the risks, for example by making sure they sit in a good posture while playing and keep a balance between sitting and getting enough exercise.
• Don’t allow gaming to make your child ignore agreements or break promises. For example, agreements about chores, the time they come home and taking part in things you do together as a family.
• Has your child spent all their money on games and run out of money? Then don’t give them any extra. They need to learn that money can only be spent once. That way they learn how to handle money responsibly.

Especially when things are not going smoothly, as a parent you are sometimes inclined to focus on what is going wrong. You then forget to mention the things that are going well, and there always are some (keeping to agreements, working hard at school, helping others in the family or outside it).

Children copy. What they see you do as a parent, they think is normal. So set a good example: don’t sit behind the computer all day yourself and don’t keep checking your phone. Certainly not during meals or social activities.

Your child may not know at all that gaming can also lead to problems. They may only see gaming as something fun and harmless. Fortunately, in most cases that is exactly what it is. Try to explain to your child that gaming a lot and often can start to look like an addiction, especially if it leads to problems at school or with friendships outside the games, for example. And that it is important not to let it get that far. Think together about what they can watch out for and how they can prevent gaming from getting out of hand.

Source: Trimbos.nl