When are video games too much?

Dear Nanay,

I read your column last week with the letter from Need Your Help about her children who are addicted to video games.  Don’t worry, Need Your Help, because you are definitely not alone. I am thinking that today there are probably more kids addicted to video games and television than ever before because when we were growing up there just were not as many choices, not as many games, not as many shows and not as many things to do.

As a matter of fact many experts point out that the attention span of children is getting shorter and shorter. No wonder more and more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD! It is also because of their environment, along with today’s modern technology, that they are becoming this way.

But Nanay Socorro is correct, Need Your Help. Whether it is video games, television or any other activity that must be regulated, you just have to stay focused and be firm with your resolve. As they say, all you need is willpower! When you enforce your rules with your children, you cannot bend or be flexible. You have to be firm. I know it will be difficult many times because, for sure, they will resist. But children are amazingly flexible and are actually quite easy to mold into something you want them to be. But don’t forget that all this takes sacrifice on your part. For example, no video games or television leads to more idle time. Yes, it may lead to more reading because the kids have nothing better to do but it may also lead to more “kakulitan” (rough housing) from the kids precisely for the same reason: they have nothing better to do.

So my only additional suggestion is that you find appropriate activities for them to do that will both make them happy and hopefully help them with their education and learning!

Meaghan

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Dear Nanay,

We always read stories and articles about how we should stop our children from watching television or playing video games.  But is there any real proof that these are harmful to the children?

I am just taking an opposing point of view to the popular belief and saying maybe we should all just relax a little bit and let kids be kids! I know for a fact that when I was growing up my parents used to let me watch television and I turned out okay. I did pretty well in school and now I have a good job. I don’t think the television set or video games today will really cause any long-term irreparable harm, will it? NTS      

Dear NTS,

Just to clarify, I do not think most people consider television or video games harmful per se. But as with most things, we should let our children do things in moderation. This is true for ice cream, playtime, chocolate or television and video games. Hindi puwede yung puro laro na lang (kids can’t just play all the time). Even things that are “good for you” like medicine or vitamins need to be given only in moderation and in compliance with your doctor’s prescription. 

I think the only issue is that we as parents need to realize that there must be some control and some discipline. You cannot let your children do whatever they want. Just like you will not let them climb high walls or play on staircases unsupervised, you should also have some degree of control over what they watch on television or how much video games they play.

Again, like most things, everything in moderation. There are no hard and fast rules, but use your instincts. I think you will sense when things have “gone too far” and you need to scale back.

Sincerely,

Nanay

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