Parental Guidance: How to help kids overcome gaming addiction
Parents play a crucial role not only in preventing but also in intervening in their children’s gaming addiction. This article presents a brief excerpt from our interview with Matthias Dewilde, founder of GameChangers, who explains how parental behavior can both positively and negatively impact a child’s relationship with gaming.
Understanding Gaming as a Hobby
Children are introduced to digital entertainment at a younger age earlier than ever before. While gaming is fun and can even be educational, excessive screen time can quickly spiral into addiction. For many parents, understanding their child’s gaming habits is a challenge, and setting boundaries can feel impossible.
The Belgian organisation GameChangers emphasises that parents must take an active role in guiding their children toward healthy screen habits: “If you don’t show interest in what your child cares about, how can you expect them to listen to you?” says GameChangers founder Matthias Dewilde. Parents who dismiss gaming as a waste of time may find their children becoming defensive or secretive about their play habits.
Instead, the key is to engage with them, show interest in the games they play, sit down, and watch them, or even play together occasionally.
Parental Intervention
However, setting clear limits is just as important as understanding their world. “If a parent provides unlimited Wi-Fi, brings food to their child’s room, and allows them to game all day, why would the child change?”, Dewilde explains. Parents must establish rules such as no gaming during mealtimes, setting screen-free hours, and ensuring that other activities, like outdoor play and social interactions, take priority.
GameChangers also stresses the importance of boredom as Dewilde outlines the importance of “Embrac[ing] boredom” and “let[ting] kids experience what it’s like to have empty time without instantly turning to a screen. It can help them be creative and think about what they truly enjoy beyond gaming.”
Disclaimer
This article shares valuable insights to combat gaming addiction based on coaching and lived experience. GameChangers also has a licensed psychologist on their team for further support. For serious mental health concerns, consulting a licensed mental health professional is recommended.
Other GameChangers Articles
Breaking Free: From Gaming Addiction to Helping Others
GameChangers Interview Part 1: How the GameChangers founder went from addiction to helping others.