THE role of parents in monitoring their children’s online interactions, including prolonged video game use, has been highlighted by experts.
A discussion on the dangers of video games and Internet addiction, especially among children, was held yesterday by the Interior Ministry’s Al Amn radio show.
The programme also discussed protection of privacy on the Internet and how interactions with strangers online could pose a danger to children if parents do not monitor them along with unmonitored web surfing.
Programme presenters, Captain Jassim Adam and Shaikha Al Zayani, spoke to leading psychiatrist Dr Samar Anees, who warned about some of the psychological effects of spending too much time on the screen.
“This is an important topic, most households suffer from it, as our children imitate us. So if we’re on the phone all day or on social media the children will copy us,” she said.
“There are many health hazards for children if they are on their devices all day; they will neglect their homework and there’s also a chance of them developing autism-like symptoms as it can lead to a lack of imagination.
“Most parents, almost 20 per cent according to some studies, don’t monitor what websites their children and teenagers go on, which may be inappropriate for them as they are only suited for adults and this can lead to them being harassed online or they can see things that might affect them.”
Interior Ministry Cyber Crime Directorate director Captain Hayet Abdulmajid, meanwhile, spoke about the benefits and potential dangers of extended Internet and video game usage.
“Children in the past didn’t have the speed of the Internet, if we had to do research we would have to go to a library and search through their books, but now in these days in a few seconds through a computer they can search whatever they need and do their research much quicker,” he said.
“The more a person is online on social media – either a child, youth, or any age – their eyes will be damaged if they keep staring at the screen.
“Also, constantly sitting at a computer affects the spine and back, and with children sitting all day playing or being on the computer might lead to obesity or diabetes or make them an introvert.”
On the box of every physical copy of video games is the age of the intended audience, with any and all offensive themes clearly labelled, so parents can make informed decisions about the kind of games they are purchasing for their children.
However, with the proliferation of downloadable games and digital only releases there is little parents can do but to pay attention and engage with their children.
To showcase this, the programme played snippets of interviews with parents in Bahrain about whether they monitor their children’s online interactions.
“I am up to date on games and I see if they are appropriate, some of them are dangerous, like horror games that can give kids nightmares, so I always try to warn them and tell them they should play other more appropriate games,” said one Bahraini parent.
This was echoed by other parents who said they had to follow the effects games can have on children and communicate with them about their Internet usage and what games they play online.
“I specify sometimes when they can play video games, maybe like two hours, and then another timeslot for traditional or educational games, and another time for reading – that way they can learn about all sorts of things,” said another Bahraini parent.
The GDN reported last year that a ‘Gaming Disorder’ may be added to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) for the first time.
WHO might recognise addiction to video games as a mental condition in an upcoming update to the 11th edition of the ICD which was last updated in 1990.
The description identifies the disorder as constant gaming that leads to lack of control in duration and frequency of playing, prioritising gaming over activities and responsibilities, and the continuation of gaming despite negative consequences.
WHO mental health and substance abuse department member Vladimir Poznyak has stressed the importance of recognising the disorder.
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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