A popular video game with yearly updates, FIFA 21 is getting released in two weeks and fans from all over the world have ants in their pants, as expectations build up. FIFA 21 can be downloaded online to play on a PC or mobile device, or it can also be played on playstation.

This is a good opportunity to ask ourselves about the risks of gaming addiction and how this could potentially harm your mental health, or your children’s mental health.

The risk of playing of video games

Excessive playing of video games can pose a danger to young people. Establishing some rules is essential to protect them. Zoom in on the signs of this form of dependence, possible care and prevention solutions.

Audience most sensitive to video game addiction

It is mainly young people who are exposed to video game addiction. However, cases of severe pathological addiction are quite rare.

The greatest risks of addiction concern network games and in particular multi-player role-playing games, like FIFA21. It is considered that there is addiction to video games when the player engages in this type of occupation excessively, that is to say from about thirty hours per week, much more than the time devoted by hardcore gamers – or big players – to their passion, namely between 18 and 20 hours per week.

Spotting a video game addiction

There are certain signs that should alert parents, as the symptoms of video game addiction are usually always the same.

For example, suddenly declining school results, a lack of interest in any other type of activity but also in social relations (friends and family). In fact, playing video games as part of an addiction takes up most of the time, since the subject is unable to reduce the time he devotes to games.

This to the detriment of other activities that he was passionate about, such as sport, cinema, music, the visual arts or simply going out with friends. The youngsters tend to isolate themselves and no longer wish to leave their home.

When you see changes in behavior in your child, it is important to investigate the source. This can be totally foreign to the passion for video games.

Video game addiction: the risks

We can see repercussions on his sleep because the addicted player tends to play even at night, thus shortening his rest time. Sometimes addiction can also affect their diet.

A fragile person who has an addiction to video games risks, in the absence of support, sooner or later to find himself in a state of mental suffering and great loneliness. This results in obvious discomfort. In rare cases, a video game addict can become extremely sad or aggressive.

If nothing is done to enable him to break with his addiction, the young person is gradually exposed to school failure and to desocialization. He can, in the more or less long term, lose his self-esteem.

Video game addiction: adopting the right reaction

Video game addiction can have significant repercussions on the mental and physical health of young pathological gamers, but it is still uncommon. Reacting as quickly as possible is essential to limit the impact of this dependence. The gambling addict cannot limit himself. On the other hand, the control of the time spent playing must be carried out by the parents.

It is essential that they establish a dialogue with their child, during which video games must be approached without taboos. This is also a good solution to take an interest in this very current phenomenon and show your child that you share his interest. Above all, it is necessary to avoid power struggles.

A video game like FIFA 21 can be positive if it is perfectly suited to the age of the child or teenager, and the time allotted to it is reasonable.

Its practice should not interfere with family life, schooling, sleep time and leisure time. It can also be an activity to share with the family. When the young person is playing alone, it is desirable that the space reserved for video games be located in areas of the dwelling reserved for the whole family. In this way, the young person does not find himself isolated in front of his screen and it is easier to limit the time spent on this activity.

Parents in need of their child’s early addiction to video games can turn to their doctor. The young person can then be taken care of by a psychologist specializing in addictological practices. This is useful if the youngster is a pathological gambler, which is fortunately uncommon.

In fact, addictive behavior is much more common in adults than in young people. Be that as it may, when we are dealing with an extreme case, it is better to opt for the referral of the young person to a specialist in the behavioral problem of adolescents and children.

Preventing video game addiction involves establishing real, but not drastic, rules: there is no question of banning access to video games. Thirty to sixty minutes a day, depending on the age of the child or teenager, is perfectly reasonable and safe play time.