How to Recognize Computer Addiction & What To Do

According to the Media Research Lab at Iowa State University, about 8.5 percent of 8-to-18-year-old children can be considered addicted to video games. And nearly 1 in 4 children, (more boys than girls) admit they've felt like their video game playing was out of control.

Is your child or a child you know spending too much playing video games? Check off any of the statements below that pertain to your child.
1. Most of the child's "free time" is spent on the computer or playing video games.
2. The child is always tired, sometimes falling asleep in school.
3. The child is not keeping up with homework assignments and projects.
4. The child has worsening grades.
5. The child is lying about computer or video game use so privileges aren't taken away.
6. The child is choosing the computer or playing video games rather than spending time with friends or family.
7. The child is dropping out of activities such as social groups, clubs or sports.
8. The child is irritable, cranky or agitated, when not playing a video game or on the computer.

If you check even one of these statements, your child is spending too time playing video games, and you need to do something right away.

Here are some things you can do:
1. Talk to your child about the affects of playing too many video games, including: irritability and mood changes, weight gain, and loss of friends.
2. Decide on a reasonable amount of time he or she can play (most experts feel that children should not be in front of a "screen" (including TVs, computers, and video games) for more than 1.5 hours a day. Software is available to help you limit time on the computer.
3. Provide many alternative activities, preferably ones that involve active play and exercise.
4. Avoid leaving the child alone for long periods of time in his room or other unsupervised places. 5. Reward activities like reading, spending time in the library, or community service with lots of praise and attention.

Is your child popular? Do you want him to be?

Parents often assign a negative connotation to the concept of popularity. After all, popular culture often portrays “popular kids” as vacuous jocks and cheerleaders, without much character or moral fiber. But our psychological definition of popularity is both simple and straightforward, and makes it clear that all parents should want their children to be popular. Popular children are liked by many and disliked by few. You do not need to be the captain of the football team or the class president to be popular. You don’t need to be the handsomest or the prettiest among your peers. You must only be well liked.

Do know if your child is well-liked? I usually assume that the more time children spend with their peers and the more varied their activities, the more popular they are. Check off the following statements if they apply to your child, age six or older. The more statements checked the better.

___My child talks to other children on the phone usually on a daily basis.
___My child spends time every weekend with other children of the same age.
___My child talks about his or her “best friend.”
___My child belongs to a sports team, or participates in other sports activities at least once a week.
___My child belongs to nonathletic groups of children outside of school (Cub Scouts, church youth groups, special interest clubs, etc.).
___My child is regularly invited to parties and other social functions.
___My child corresponds with others using email or letters.
___My child (eight or older) is frequently invited to go over the house of other children for extended periods of time (four hours or more).
___My child (eight or older) sometimes sleeps over at another child’s house or has a child sleep over at our home.
___My child (eight and older) spends time in academically oriented activities with other children, such as science projects, study groups, or helping each other with homework.

Each one of the statements in the checklist refers to an important milestone in a child’s social development. If your youngster has not achieved these social milestones, there are many simple things that you can do to help her become more socially adept. Look for these ideas in my daily parenting tips.