{"id":2196,"date":"2018-06-19T10:24:23","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T14:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/online-gaming-how-to-put-down-the-controller\/"},"modified":"2023-01-13T11:37:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T15:37:26","slug":"online-gaming-how-put-down-controller","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/online-gaming-how-put-down-controller\/","title":{"rendered":"Online gaming: How to put down the controller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"lead\">With millions of players worldwide, online gaming is a big part of many people\u2019s lives. But for some people, it can become a serious problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing wrong with playing online games, just as long as it\u2019s balanced with a healthy offline life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, gaming can become addictive. You can develop the need to play all the time, which can get in the way of school, hobbies and even spending time with friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some signs that may suggest online gaming is becoming a problem in your life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>you play for long periods of time (24-80 hours per week)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you think or talk about gaming more than anything else<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you often lie about how much time they spend online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gaming affects your schoolwork or your relationships with friends or family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you can\u2019t stop gaming, even though you want to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"how-do-i-stop-or-cut-back-on-gaming\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    How do I stop or cut back on gaming?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>While fun at first, online gaming can become addictive and take priority over things like friends, family and exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Online gaming can become a large part of someone\u2019s life, so stopping or cutting back isn\u2019t always easy. These tips can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Make a list: <\/strong>write down all the effects online gaming has on your life. Include both the pros (it\u2019s fun, it\u2019s an escape, etc.) and the cons (less time to spend with friends, it can be expensive, lack of exercise, etc.). What does the list tell you about why you game?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set goals:<\/strong> a great way to cut back is to set attainable goals. Measure the amount of time you spend gaming and set goals to reduce it by a small amount each day, gradually increasing your goal over time. Consider asking your family or friends to help you stick to your new limits. Don\u2019t forget to reward yourself when you reach your goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create obstacles:<\/strong> think of ways to make gaming less convenient (keep your console in a shared room, let your memberships run out, try not to buy the newest games, etc.).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay busy:<\/strong> make a list of things you enjoy outside of gaming (sports, hanging out with friends, writing, reading, etc.) and try to incorporate these activities into your day more and more. Exercising can help you work off stress, too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prioritize:<\/strong> make sure gaming doesn\u2019t interfere with your health or school by sticking to some basic rules (do your homework before logging on, never skip a meal or eat while playing, log off 30 minutes before bedtime, etc.).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Talk it out:<\/strong> it\u2019s common for some people to game a lot because their online life feels better or safer than their offline life. If there\u2019s something in your life that\u2019s upsetting you, try talking about it with someone you trust or a safe adult. There are also professional support groups for people struggling with online gaming. You can always call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 if you need to talk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"how-to-help-a-friend-with-a-gaming-problem\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    How to help a friend with a gaming problem<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re worried about a friend who may have a problem with online gaming, there are things you can do to help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When online gaming becomes more than a hobby, a person can become absorbed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"acf-block-empathy-router-block_53bf11cb47fad640a665242a4eaa8b4b\" class=\"acf-block-empathy-router position-relative js-empathy-router\" data-post-id=\"2196\">\n    <button class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__header d-flex flex-row justify-content-space-between align-items-center border-0 text-left line-height-1-2 text-white js-empathy-router-trigger\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-cy=\"empathy-router-trigger\">\n        <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__header-text\">We\u2019re here to help you find more support &#038; resources.<\/span>\n        <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__header-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"35px\" height=\"35x\" viewBox=\"0 0 40 40\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 40 40\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                <title>Header icon trigger<\/title>\n                <circle fill=\"#B6DDEA\" cx=\"20\" cy=\"20\" r=\"20\"\/>\n                <path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#172A72\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M26.75,26.75l-13.5-13.5\"\/>\n                <path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#172A72\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M26.75,13.25l-13.5,13.5\"\/>\n            <\/svg>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/button>\n\n    <div class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__step acf-block-empathy-router__step--range position-absolute bg-white acf-block-empathy-router__step--hidden js-empathy-router-step-range\" style=\"display: none;\">\n        <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__range-title line-height-1-2\">How would you rate how you\u2019re feeling  right now?<\/span>\n        <div class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__range-group position-relative\">\n            <input\n                type=\"range\"\n                class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__range-input js-empathy-router-range-input\"\n                id=\"feeling\"\n                name=\"feeling\"\n                min=\"1\"\n                max=\"5\"\n                step=\"1\"\n                value=\"3\"\n                aria-valuemin=\"1\"\n                aria-valuemax=\"5\"\n                aria-valuenow=\"3\"\n                data-cy=\"empathy-router-slider-input\" aria-label=\"From Bad to Good\">\n            <label for=\"feeling\" class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__range-label acf-block-empathy-router__range-label--min position-absolute m-0 line-height-1\">Bad<\/label>\n            <label for=\"feeling\" class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__range-label acf-block-empathy-router__range-label--max position-absolute m-0 line-height-1\">Good<\/label>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"text-center mt-5\">\n            <!-- <button class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__button-next button button__full-background button__full-background--small button__full-background--bg-blue button__full-background--color-white button__full-background--rounded button--font-family-basis-bold js-empathy-router-next\" data-cy=\"empathy-router-next\">Next<\/button> -->\n\n            <button class=\"btn dark-btn js-empathy-router-next\" data-cy=\"empathy-router-next\">Next<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__step acf-block-empathy-router__step--buttons acf-block-empathy-router__step--hidden position-absolute bg-white js-empathy-router-step-buttons\" style=\"display: none;\">\n        <button class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__button-back border-0 line-height-1-2 bg-white d-flex flex-row align-items-center text-left js-empathy-router-back\" data-cy=\"empathy-router-back\">\n            <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__button-back-icon line-height-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg width=\"6\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 6 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <title>Arrow left icon<\/title>\n                    <path d=\"M1.70679 4.75708L5.24292 8.29199L3.82788 9.70703L0.292969 6.17114L1.70679 4.75708ZM5.24292 2.63599L1.70679 6.17114L0.292969 4.75708L3.82788 1.22095L5.24292 2.63599ZM5.24292 8.29199C5.33583 8.3849 5.40943 8.49531 5.45972 8.6167C5.51 8.73809 5.53589 8.86812 5.53589 8.99951C5.53589 9.13091 5.51 9.26093 5.45972 9.38232C5.40943 9.50372 5.33583 9.61412 5.24292 9.70703C5.15001 9.79994 5.03961 9.87355 4.91821 9.92383C4.79682 9.97411 4.6668 10 4.5354 10C4.40401 10 4.27398 9.97411 4.15259 9.92383C4.03119 9.87355 3.92079 9.79994 3.82788 9.70703L5.24292 8.29199ZM1 5.46411L0.292969 6.17114C0.105498 5.98361 0 5.72928 0 5.46411C0 5.19895 0.105498 4.94461 0.292969 4.75708L1 5.46411ZM3.82788 1.22095C4.01552 1.03331 4.27004 0.927979 4.5354 0.927979C4.80076 0.927979 5.05528 1.03331 5.24292 1.22095C5.43056 1.40859 5.53589 1.6631 5.53589 1.92847C5.53589 2.19383 5.43056 2.44835 5.24292 2.63599L3.82788 1.22095Z\" fill=\"#727477\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__button-back-text\">Back<\/span>\n        <\/button>\n\n        <span class=\"acf-block-empathy-router__step-description line-height-1-2 d-block\">Here are some resources that might help:<\/span>\n\n        <div class=\"js-empathy-router-redirectors-wrapper\">\n            <!-- js loaded -->\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You may notice that you\u2019re seeing less of your friend or that they\u2019ve become less interested in time away from their computer or console. This can affect the people closest to them, including their friends and family. Here are some things you can look for in friends who may have a problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>they play for long periods of time (24-80 hours per week)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>they mostly talk about gaming<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>they\u2019re not honest about how much time they spend online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>they can\u2019t stop gaming, even though they may want to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"talking-to-your-friend-about-a-gaming-problem\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    Talking to your friend about a gaming problem<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>If your friend has a gaming problem, all you can do is be there for them \u2014 you can\u2019t make them give up or change their behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to talk to your friend, it\u2019s important to let them know that you\u2019re concerned because you care. Getting angry won\u2019t help the situation. Here are some tips for approaching the conversation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep it private:<\/strong> approach your friend somewhere private and away from distractions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be open:<\/strong> focus on how your friend\u2019s behaviour is affecting you. Use \u201cI\u201d statements like, \u201cWhen you break plans with me to game, I feel sad and let down.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be specific: <\/strong>be honest and straightforward about why you\u2019re concerned. Say, \u201cI\u2019m worried because last night you said you only played for a couple of hours, but I know it was more.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t tell them what to do:<\/strong> only they can make a change. Ask, \u201cWhat do you think would help? What can I do to make things easier for you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay calm:<\/strong> if your friend wants to talk, try to be calm, caring and non-judgmental.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider timing:<\/strong> your friend may not be ready to change right away. They may not be ready to hear your concerns because they believe that they can control their gaming or they feel like gaming has more positive than negative consequences. They may get angry and tell you it\u2019s none of your business, but they may also be happy that you started the conversation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t push:<\/strong> if your friend doesn\u2019t want help, don\u2019t push them. Let them know that you\u2019re there for them in the future. Remember, it can take a long time for someone to realize that they have a problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get more support:<\/strong> if they open up, you can let them know that Kids Help Phone\u2019s professional counsellors are available to talk 24\/7 at 1-800-668-6868.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"in-the-meantime\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    In the meantime<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>You may feel sad, frustrated or worried about your friend. These are all common feelings. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Take a break: <\/strong>do something you enjoy or hang out with people who aren\u2019t involved in gaming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Talk to someone:<\/strong> spend time with a supportive friend or a safe adult. You can always call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 if you need to talk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remember:<\/strong> you\u2019re not expected to solve someone else\u2019s problem. All you can do is express your concerns and be supportive. By talking to them, you\u2019re being a good friend.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"an-adult-in-my-life-games-all-of-the-time\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    An adult in my life games all of the time<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Online gaming isn\u2019t just for young people \u2014 adults can also become addicted. If the adult in your life games a lot, it can have a big impact on your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adults are spending more and more time gaming online. An adult\u2019s gaming can have the same effect on friends and family as a young person\u2019s gaming. If the adult in your life has an online gaming addiction, you may notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Absence:<\/strong> you may see a lot less of the person or they may seem distracted when they\u2019re spending time with you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotions:<\/strong> the person may seem angry, upset or sad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact:<\/strong> you may begin to feel lonely, neglected or like no one understands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common to want to try and convince the person to cut back on gaming, but try to keep in mind that they won\u2019t change unless they want to. You need to take care of yourself so that you\u2019re able to deal with your own feelings, too. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spend time with loved ones: <\/strong>spending time with friends or other family members can help with feelings of loneliness and abandonment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Talk it out: <\/strong>bring up your concerns with someone you trust. Talking to someone, like another relative, can help you find ways to cope. If you\u2019re feeling neglected or unsafe, you can call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-688-6868 for support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With millions of players worldwide, online gaming is a big part of many people\u2019s lives. But for some people, it can become a serious problem. There\u2019s nothing wrong with playing online games, just as long as it\u2019s balanced with a healthy offline life. Sometimes, gaming can become addictive. You can develop the need to play [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/online-gaming-how-put-down-controller\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"template":"","tags":[203,346],"articlecategory":[],"class_list":["post-2196","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","tag-online-gaming","tag-gaming"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Online gaming: How to put down the controller - Kids Help Phone<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Online gaming can be a lot of fun, but it\u2019s important to play in moderation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/online-gaming-how-put-down-controller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Online gaming: How to put down the controller\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Online gaming can be a lot of fun, but it\u2019s important to play in moderation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/online-gaming-how-put-down-controller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kids Help Phone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-01-13T15:37:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/teen-playing-videogames-home-0092_WPbanner.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1344\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/teen-playing-videogames-home-0092_WPbanner.jpg\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Online gaming: How to put down the controller - 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