Nowadays, we merely find anyone who doesn’t play games on their smartphone. It has become a new trend specially to the teenagers, who spend countless hours staring on their mobile devices. Online game addiction is a very real problem for many people.
According to the University of New Mexico, recent studies suggest that 6 to 15 percent of all gamers exhibit signs that could be characterized as addiction. Though this disorder can have significant consequences to those suffering from it, its signs and symptoms can sometimes be very difficult to recognize.
Many different causes factor into online game addiction. One of the main reasons that online games can become so addictive, however, is they are designed to be that way.
Online game designers, like anyone else trying to make a profit, are always looking for ways to get more people playing their games. They accomplish this by making a game just challenging enough to keep you coming back for more but not so hard that the player eventually gives up. In other words, success for a gamer often feels just out of reach. In this respect, online game addiction is very similar to another more widely recognized disorder: gambling addiction.
Online game addiction is simply being addicted to online games. Unfortunately this addiction is growing at a fast pace. While it may not affect the body directly like alcohol or cigarettes would, it can still devastate lives when people take things way too far when it comes to online games.
How To End Online Game Addiction
Setting Limits
Health experts recommend that teens and school-aged kids should spend no more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen, and it’s just as important for adults to limit their time being sedentary. If you’re struggling with too much gaming, try setting specific limits for yourself on how long you play each day.
- For example, you might limit yourself to no more than half an hour of play each day.
- Help yourself keep track of your playing time by setting a timer on your phone or another device.
- Don’t give up or get too upset with yourself if you slip up and end up playing longer than you meant to from time to time—it’s totally normal to have setbacks! Try to learn from what happened and think of a way to avoid it next time, like having a buddy send you a text to remind you it’s time to stop playing.
Install Apps To Block Access To Games.
If you play games on your phone or on your computer, you can install apps or browser extensions that limit your play time. Some apps can limit your access to specific games, while others will lock you out of your device altogether during a set time.
- PC programs like Game Boss can set time limits on games or block your access to gaming websites.
- If you play games in a web browser, try an extension like StayFocusd for Chrome or LeechBlock for Firefox.
- For phone games, try apps like Offtime or BreakFree to set time limits, track your game usage, or block your access to gaming apps.
Spend Your Time With Family
Instead of spending countless hours playing online game, spending time with your family members is the best way to overcome online game addiction.
Bonus
- Get rid of all of the games and gaming equipment. I’m not saying you have to throw it all away, but have a friend or family member hold onto it until you can break the addiction.
- Find ways to occupy your time. Take classes, get outside, spend time with family and friends, go to church, or get a hobby.
- Seek out professional counseling. They have lots of treatment methods for video game addictions.
