A new study has found that almost 1,000 gamers would sacrifice sleep to spend more screen time, suggesting that video games are addictive for some people especially teens tied to this kind of distraction. Especially now that summer has come around, kids will spend more time with their smartphones and video games such as "Call of Duty," "Bloodborne," and "Fallout."
Thomas Johnson, a teacher in the Minneapolis School District, says the potential risks are high, depending on what they habitually do. One of which is the physical alteration the inside of their brains and the influence it has in their behaviors. The Journal of the American Medical Association says that too much screen time has been linked with changes that result to negative outcomes for children. This includes attention problems (they're easily distracted), poor learning skills, lower academic performance, obesity, and negative behaviors, reports StarTribune.
Sleep is another factor kids would be willing to miss when they are hooked on video games and electronic devices. On average, the gamers would delay about two hours of bedtime during the nights they play video games and researchers have found that they spend almost five nights a week playing video games. Brandy Roane, lead author and Director of the Sleep Research Lab in North Texas said that the findings suggest factors affecting individuals decision making - whether they choose to get enough sleep or not, as per U.S.News Health Care.
Much like food RT @nytimes Screen addiction is taking a toll on children https://t.co/WhgbUUTOQ1 pic.twitter.com/J9oG8z8L5Q
— UShealthykids (@CaseyHinds) July 6, 2015
Here are four things to consider to address the concern of video game and electronic device addiction:
- Have a screen time curfew not later than 10p.m. Night time is the most dangerous time for kids to interact with electronics or play video games. Kids who are especially hooked on electronics will fight you on this, so be firm and do not back down. Plan to outsmart them before you take your stand.
- Set an electronics-free period each day.
- Show your own restraint with your electronics usage. Put the device away when not in use.
- If possible, give the whole family an electronics vacation. Just spend some designated time a week without electronics. It is liberating.
