Author: LJMCIVER

Content sponsored by BraveFace Jr.

As we live in a time where digital literacy becomes so ingrained in how we function as a society, it’s not at all surprising that our tweens and teens become so immersed in the digital world themselves. As parents, it’s natural to be both curious and cautious when it comes to allowing our children to participate in digital spaces, particularly in gaming spaces. 

Gaming itself has become a new platform on which children socialise as well as build problem-solving skills, motor skills, and communication skills. Gaming itself is more than just screentime for young people in this constantly developing digital world. So, how do we spot the difference between gaming as a source of fun and when it becomes an addiction in teenagers? What behaviours are okay? What’s out there that can help both me as a parent and my child? 

Don’t panic, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help support both you and your children when it comes to developing healthy gaming practices. 

Why gaming is more than just playing games 

Every game comes with risk. Whether it’s playing a sport, board games, cards, or simply playing on the playground, there is always the risk of injury, dealing with winning or losing, or tests of patience. Gaming comes with its own risks, like playing any other game. While it’s easy to simply see gaming as problematic screentime, we need to look past this narrative and dive further into the experiences it provides for our teens. 

Socialisation and skill-building

Whether it be in person or online, the gaming space is a space where tweens and teens connect. It’s a space where children aren’t confined to the necessities of needing parents to drop them off at their friends’ houses, or being confined to limited activities they can do at school during lunchtime. For teenagers, the digital world provides creative spaces and unique challenges they can engage with, both individually and with their friends. Whether it be problem-solving, achieving set goals, practising leadership or team-building skills, there are unique challenges that are set within the games they play. 

In some ways, gaming provides a solution for children who are confined by limited transportation; it’s a space where they can be independent within the home. There is a healthy balance and positive social effect that can be achieved, allowing children to game with friends, as well as encouraging them to try other activities. 

Playing video games also has a surprising benefit for developing our fine motor skills. With all those buttons, finger dexterity naturally helps build better precision skills. Movement precision, as well as developing better hand-eye coordination, is also a surprising benefit that our kids build by playing games. Whether it be gaming individually or with friends, there is something to be gained from a healthy relationship with games. 

When does gaming become problematic, and what can I do as a parent to stop these issues? 

In 2019, the World Health Organisation officially registered gaming disorder as an addiction. So, what signs should parents look out for as signs that a hobby has become something more dangerous? 

Avoidance and prioritisation – Keeping a watchful eye on their gaming habits is an important step in managing healthy screentime. If you notice that your child begins to avoid other tasks in favour of gaming, such as homework, chores, or maintaining hygiene, excessive gaming has become an issue. When there is a reliance on gaming to feel satisfied, really feeling like gaming has become a basic need, this is a sign of gaming becoming an addiction. 

Neglecting hobbies – Whether it be an after-school club, a sports team, dance class, or music lessons, every child has their own unique interests and hobbies. But if you find that your child is neglecting activities they once loved, or even expresses a desire to quit teams or lessons in favour of gaming, this is another serious sign of gaming addiction. A healthy relationship with games should fit in with other enjoyable activities, rather than completely seize and replace all your child’s free time. 

Hiding habits – A healthy relationship with any activity shouldn’t mean lying or sneaking around to engage with it. If you suspect your child of sneaking in extra playing time on their screens, or lying about the amount of time they spend on their devices, even staying up past their bedtime to game, this is a sign that it’s become a problem. Setting healthy boundaries means that children won’t feel shame about their activity. 

Using games as an escape – Just like adults, children and teenagers alike experience periods of stress and bad moods. If you notice that your child only seems content when gaming, and uses gaming as an escape, it’s probably time to sit down with your child and discuss why they feel so inclined to reach for their devices rather than face them. You can also utilise natural products to help relieve stress. 

See Braveface Jr’s range of Stay Cool Spray to help children overcome feelings of stress and nerves. 

For something to help them face their days with courage, try their range of Good Mood Chews, for an extra dose of Vitamin B and positive mental health support. 

How do I ensure my child is safe online and help them navigate online relationships? 

As a parent, you probably remember those familiar sayings your own parents taught you. 

“Don’t talk to strangers” 

“Don’t take lollies from strangers” 

“Never take a ride from a stranger” 

Just like in real life, the digital space also requires some safety tips from parents and trusted adults to help keep them safe online. So what should we teach them? 

First of all, it’s important to teach our children to never share their personal information online. Information like full names, addresses, and even the name of their own school/workplace is vital to keeping ourselves and our children safe in digital spaces. It is also worth sitting down and showing your child how to report others and block people who make them feel uncomfortable or try to cross boundaries with them. Discuss what red flags to look out for in other gamers, as well as teaching your own child what appropriate behaviour and topics of discussion are, which helps keep everyone safer online. 

Maintaining an open narrative is also key to helping keep an eye on your child’s online life. Be open, have discussions about what games they are playing, and who they are playing their games with. Each parent will have their own expectations and boundaries that they want to maintain. So be open, discuss them together, and even make a contract with them so that they know your expectations. 

Be assured that parental controls exist on most devices, and utilise them if you choose. Most devices have settings that allow parents to block mature content, stop spending, limit screen time and even control chat servers. Whatever device your child uses, look into the parental controls available. They are there to keep your children safe. 

Set routines that account for healthy screen time 

Experts recommend that screen time should be limited in children to between 1 and 2 hours per day. You may do this by having a set time each day for your children to play their games, or you might have a more fluid allowance by letting your children ask for their screen time when they feel like it. Set a narrative and time that works for you; even something as simple as setting a timer for their screen time can make you feel better about managing it. On most devices, you can even set custom scheduling rules, so even if you aren’t home, the kids are still limited to when they can boot up a game. 

Having screen time as a reward. Set expectations and agreements; you might decide to let your child play a game when they get home from school to help them unwind. You might set an expectation that they complete their homework or chores before allowing them to play their games. Set a precedent and routine that works for your family. 

Additionally, ensure your children are off the screens at least 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. This allows the brain to wind down, giving children ample time to complete their evening routine without disruption, and ensures a good night’s sleep. Whether you are starting a new routine or your child has trouble sleeping, natural products like Braveface Jr’s Let’s Dream Drops are a great, fast-acting support for mental and physical relaxation. 

So, is it possible to foster a healthy environment for children to game? Absolutely! Remember, there’s more to gaming than just screen time, and there are many healthy ways to manage your children’s screen time, as well as utilising parent controls and products from the Braveface Jr line. Saw something that you think might help? Check out the product line below and take charge in helping your kids maintain healthy habits. 

• Stay Cool Spray – Stay cool and focused – and meet those big moments head-on. 
• Good Mood Chews – Help your little one face their day with courage. 
• Let’s Dream Drops – Help your child get the sleep they need.