Limit gaming to two hours, for your children’s sake
VIDEO GAME ADDICTION MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES, SAYS HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) yesterday issued a recommendation for parents to limit their children’s gaming hours to two hours per day, under supervision, provided the gaming content is educational and interactive.
The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children under age two should not have any screen time, as overexposure to screens may harm the child’s physical and mental development.
Results of the 2015 Global School-based Student Health Survey, showed that around 56 per cent of school students aged 13 to 15 spend more than three hours a day playing video games or watching television. It reaches close to 63 per cent with children aged 16 to 17.
Dr Jamal Al Mutawa Al Naqbi, manager of community health and surveillance department at DoH, said: “In an era of ubiquitous technology that surrounds our lives, whether at home or at school, children have become particularly more engrossed in using technology, that it has become almost impossible to unplug completely.
“However, it is essential to find the right balance between children’s use of technologies, especially long and excessive hours of gaming, and more healthy and active pursuits.”
Playing with health
He added: “Despite the few positive effects associated with gaming such as strategic thinking and problem solving, their negative consequences far outweigh them. Back and wrist pain, eye strain, headaches, stress, physical exhaustion, disturbed sleep and obesity are among the most common health problems associated ■
Despite the few positive effects associated with gaming such as strategic thinking and problem solving, their negative consequences far outweigh them. It is essential to find the right balance...”
Dr Jamal Al Mutawa Al Naqbi Manager, Community Health and Surveillance, Department of Health
of kids aged 13 to 15 have more than 3 hours a day of screen time
with prolonged children.”
“Parents are role models who set an example for their children to develop better habits. They are responsible for limiting the hours their children spend playing video games and encouraging young ones to engage in social and sports activities that nurture their mental and physical well-being.”
Also, sitting in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time can lead to back gameplay in and shoulder muscle strain, fatigue, poor blood circulation and muscle and joint pain.
It has also been reported that children who are addicted to video games are more prone to stress, which directly impacts their organs. Problems such as eye strain resulting from prolonged exposure to bright television or computer screens, causes the eye to produce less moisture over time.
The DoH has ascribed obesity problems in children with video game addictions to the excessive time spent on playing games and less on physical activities.
Despite ongoing studies on the influence of the excessive use of video games on children’s psychological and physical health, the DoH believes that these children can suffer behavioural, psychological and social disorders such as isolation, social anxiety, general anxiety, depression and poor academic performance as a result.