Striking the right game/life balance
Gaming is like a mini vacation, a ticket to a world where you can be the hero, the villain or even a pixelated version of yourself. It’s a social hub, a digital playground, and a fantastic way to unwind. But like all good things, it’s a question of balance. Striking the right balance ensures that gaming remains an enjoyable activity rather than an all-consuming habit.
Playing nicely: learning the importance of respect online
It’s not just about setting time limits or promoting variety. It’s also about fostering a positive gaming environment. Try to help your kids understand why respectful communication matters and what good sportsmanship in online gaming communities looks like. This includes awareness around digital etiquette, avoiding toxic behaviour and understanding that everyone has different skill levels.
If you observe any of the following behaviour online, it's time to intervene:
- Cyberbullying: Sending hurtful messages, spreading rumours or excluding friends from online groups could fall within the scope of cyberbullying. If you observe overly aggressive or secretive behaviour, this could be an indication of toxic online behaviour.
- Trolling: This means provoking or upsetting others for fun. Unkind comments, disrupting gameplay or mocking others to get a reaction are all examples of trolling. This behaviour kills the fun of the game, ruining the experience for other players.
- Sudden and unexplained improvements: Hacks, exploits or sharing cheats to gain an unfair advantage are all good examples.
Playing it safe: the importance of privacy and security
Make privacy and security a priority. Teach your child to never share personal information, like their real name, address or school, with other players. Alert them to the potential risks of online scams and how to report inappropriate behaviour.
Talk to your kids about these skills to ensure their safety while gaming online:
- Safe communication: Define what personal information means and explain clearly what information should never be shared online. Encourage your child to notify a parent or guardian if another person is trying to ask for personal information.
- Using in-game privacy settings: Team up with your children to adjust their privacy settings so only their chosen friends can see their profile, send requests, or chat with them during the game.
- Recognising suspicious activity: Educate your children to be wary of suspicious links or messages asking for personal information. Encourage them to report any strange behaviour to game moderators or trusted adults and utilise block, mute and unfriend functions to limit communication.
Learn more about staying safe online
Know what unhealthy gaming habits look like
Unhealthy gaming habits can manifest in various ways, not just through difficulty sleeping or neglecting responsibilities. If your child becomes overly frustrated or angry during or after gaming, it could be a sign that the relationship's becoming unhealthy. Similarly, if your child seems to be using gaming to escape from real-world problems or negative feelings, it might indicate a reliance on gaming for emotional relief.
Be aware of these potential warning signs of unhealthy gaming habits:
- Difficulty sleeping: If your child is having trouble sleeping, it could be a result of gaming too late into evening. Delaying sleep in favour of gaming and exposure to brightly lit screens can negatively impact your child's sleep schedule.
- Neglecting responsibilities: If they're not finishing their homework or jobs around the house. Encourage gaming time as a reward after homework and chores have been completed.
- Losing interest: A reduced interest in friendships, physical games, sport and other activities they once enjoyed may be a sign of excessive gaming. A good mix of interests is key in maintaining a healthy relationship with gaming.
How you can help
If you notice these warning signs, here are some ways you can help your child develop healthier gaming habits:
- Set boundaries: Make an agreement with your kids about what appropriate limits for gaming are. It could be after homework or for a few hours on a Saturday morning. Include regular breaks to keep their eyes fresh and help promote a balanced lifestyle. Supporting them to structure their game time encourages personal responsibility, self-discipline and time management.
- Mix it up: Urge your child to play a variety of games to broaden their experience and prevent them from becoming too absorbed in one game.
- Encourage social play: Many games have social elements. Encouraging kids to play games with friends and family can be enjoyable and help develop all-important social skills.
- Spark interest in other hobbies: Work together to build a list of non-gaming activities to provide a balance. Such a list could include activities like sport, reading or crafts.
- Seek support: Concerns about keeping kids safe online often weigh heavily on parents. Seek professional advice from or visit the eSafety Commissioner to understand more about keeping kids safe while gaming.
By teaching and maintaining healthy gaming habits, you can make gaming a positive influence in your children’s lives. After all, gaming should be a fun and enjoyable pastime that's all part of a happy childhood.
