Video Game Addiction Symptoms in Teenagers – Signs of Teen Computer Addiction
If there is one segment of the population that has an insatiable appetite for video games, it has to be teenagers. Today’s teens can be seen playing video games on consoles, desktop computers, laptops & netbooks, tablets, handheld systems, and of course, phones for truly mobile gaming. How do parents know when they need help for video game addiction?
Technically, video game addiction is not a “real” diagnosis, but would any really disagree with the point that some teenagers would rather play video games than do just about anything else and spend far too much time in front of a computer screen? If you are around teens at all you probably even know a few who need to cut back on video games.
Symptoms of Video Game Addiction in Teens
What are the symptoms of video game addiction in teenagers? What video game addiction problems should concerned parents watch for?
Obsession
Teenagers addicted to video games will attempt to play at every opportunity. When given the option to do something else they previously enjoyed or go out with friends, they will more often than not choose to play video games.
Excessive Gaming
There is no set number of hours per day that would define a teenager addicted to video games. However, if a teen regularly plays video games for hours upon hours everyday and does not participate in any other activities, it is reasonable to suggest that this is excessive and that parents need to do something to cut back on the number of hours.
Denial
If it is clear that a teenager is too involved with video games and is confronted about this, he/she may become defensive, angry, deny that this is a problem, or claim that “I can stop whenever I want – I just don’t want to”.
Technically, video game addiction is not a “real” diagnosis, but would any really disagree with the point that some teenagers would rather play video games than do just about anything else and spend far too much time in front of a computer screen? If you are around teens at all you probably even know a few who need to cut back on video games.
Symptoms of Video Game Addiction in Teens
What are the symptoms of video game addiction in teenagers? What video game addiction problems should concerned parents watch for?
Obsession
Teenagers addicted to video games will attempt to play at every opportunity. When given the option to do something else they previously enjoyed or go out with friends, they will more often than not choose to play video games.
Excessive Gaming
There is no set number of hours per day that would define a teenager addicted to video games. However, if a teen regularly plays video games for hours upon hours everyday and does not participate in any other activities, it is reasonable to suggest that this is excessive and that parents need to do something to cut back on the number of hours.
Denial
If it is clear that a teenager is too involved with video games and is confronted about this, he/she may become defensive, angry, deny that this is a problem, or claim that “I can stop whenever I want – I just don’t want to”.
Feelings of Guilt or Regret
More insightful or mature teenagers may experience negative emotions such as guilt or regret as they realized how destructive their video game habits have become. Upon losing friends, arguments with family, or poor grades, they may feel guilty about how much time they spend playing video games – yet feel helpless to stop.
Avoiding “Real Life” Problems
Because children and teenagers have not yet had the chance to develop more mature coping strategies for stressful or unpleasant life events, they sometimes turn to video games as a way of coping. Depending on the situation and when played in moderation, this may be effective as an occasional coping strategy. However, if the teen almost always uses video games as a way to avoid unpleasant emotions, this may be a symptom of addiction.
Interference With Other Important Parts Of Life
One of the most important video game addiction signs in teenagers is how much it affects other aspects of their life. For example, how much does it impact their schoolwork, their grades, their friendships, their family interactions, responsibilities around the home, job performance, motivation, physical health, and emotional well-being?
Regularly Playing for Longer than Intended
Although everyone is probably familiar with sitting down at a computer with the intention of only being there for a short period and then realizing that several hours have passed, for teenagers addicted to video games this happens all the time. It promised to play for only an hour turns into three hours. Intentions to go to bed at midnight turn into 3 AM after an extended online gaming session.
Justifying How Much Time is Spent Playing Video Games
A common symptom of video game addiction is the justification of excessive play. The teen may explain that he plays video games because he is bored, stressed, needs to relax, or that it is “normal” for kids his age to play this much.
Of course, these are not the only symptoms of video game addiction in teenagers. Families who wish to do a more complete assessment may find something like this video game addiction test for parents helpful.
More insightful or mature teenagers may experience negative emotions such as guilt or regret as they realized how destructive their video game habits have become. Upon losing friends, arguments with family, or poor grades, they may feel guilty about how much time they spend playing video games – yet feel helpless to stop.
Avoiding “Real Life” Problems
Because children and teenagers have not yet had the chance to develop more mature coping strategies for stressful or unpleasant life events, they sometimes turn to video games as a way of coping. Depending on the situation and when played in moderation, this may be effective as an occasional coping strategy. However, if the teen almost always uses video games as a way to avoid unpleasant emotions, this may be a symptom of addiction.
Interference With Other Important Parts Of Life
One of the most important video game addiction signs in teenagers is how much it affects other aspects of their life. For example, how much does it impact their schoolwork, their grades, their friendships, their family interactions, responsibilities around the home, job performance, motivation, physical health, and emotional well-being?
Regularly Playing for Longer than Intended
Although everyone is probably familiar with sitting down at a computer with the intention of only being there for a short period and then realizing that several hours have passed, for teenagers addicted to video games this happens all the time. It promised to play for only an hour turns into three hours. Intentions to go to bed at midnight turn into 3 AM after an extended online gaming session.
Justifying How Much Time is Spent Playing Video Games
A common symptom of video game addiction is the justification of excessive play. The teen may explain that he plays video games because he is bored, stressed, needs to relax, or that it is “normal” for kids his age to play this much.
Of course, these are not the only symptoms of video game addiction in teenagers. Families who wish to do a more complete assessment may find something like this video game addiction test for parents helpful.