There is growing research on the effects of video games on children. Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become immune or numb to violence, imitate the violence they see and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children. Kids can become overly involved and even obsessed with video games, which I've been seeing a lot lately, especially in kids who are doing only online learning.

As you try to create a shift in your family’s relationship to the screen—and hopefully also in yourself—you must go into the endeavor with an appreciation that you are fighting a colossal battle. You are up against forces that have spent billions to ensure that your loved ones, and millions of others, fill their corporate coffers. They spend little to nothing on raising awareness of the dangers.

Join us in this episode as the hosts Devishobha and Dr. Meghna cover ground on what the brouhaha about video gaming is, whether video games do have a positive impact, guidelines for parents to know about the quality of video games and sift through them, the precautions parents can take before their children get addicted to gaming, what are the symptoms of video game addiction and what can parents do to get their child out of the vicious addictive cycle of video games.

This week’s mnemonic is: PACKS

Plan, Action, Challenge, Kick out Tech, Support

References:

Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap.

Get Off that Game, Now!: The Essential Family Guide to Healthy Screen Behavior (p. 75). Cultural Integrators. Kindle Edition.

Big Talk About Tiny Humans is India’s first research-based podcast for parenting and educators, hosted by Devishobha Chandramouli and Dr Meghna. Visit https://ivm.today/tinyhumans to learn more about the show.

Tune in to Big Talk About Tiny Humans every Wednesday for new episodes!

If you wish to learn more, check out:

- The Raising Assertive Kids podcast episode to help children set healthy boundaries and develop body anatomy, healthy relationships and beat anxiety and toxic energy-draining patterns.

- The Family Meal Matters podcast episode to model family conversations.

- The Grandparents Vs. Parents podcast episode to learn how to reconcile differences in parenting styles and values between generations.

- The Talking to Children about Death episode to learn how to help children process grief over the loss of a loved one.

- The Container baby syndrome

Have a question or topic you’d like to see covered on the show? Follow and DM the hosts on Instagram at @kidskintha and @thetherapistmommy and the hosts will address them in future episodes. Visit https://kidskintha.com/ and https://raisingfamilyacademy.com to learn more about the hosts’ ongoing programs on parenting and child development.

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