By Ava Harper
Players may explore huge worlds, take on exhilarating challenges, and interact with others through the exciting and immersive experience of gaming. However, it’s important to approach gaming with a mentality that puts security and well-being first. You may continue to enjoy your gaming experiences while ensuring safety by adhering to a few easy rules.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
There were an estimated 212 million gamers in the US in 2022, and their numbers are expected to grow steadily until 2027. The current percentage of female gamers in the US is 48%. Around 46% of American gamers are between the ages of 18 and 34, while 20% are under the age of 18.
Although gaming is an excellent pastime, it is important to set healthy boundaries. According to Statista, around 29% of US gamers aged between 18 and 29 spend one to five hours gaming every week. Moreover, some 21% of gamers of the same age play video games for six to ten hours. Surprisingly, 8 percent of them spend more than 20 hours a week playing video games.
Choose how much time you want to spend gaming each day or week. This keeps you from playing too much and makes sure that gaming doesn’t conflict with your other obligations and hobbies. To help you remember when it’s time to take a break, think about setting up timers or alerts.
Be careful to balance your gaming time with other pursuits, including going outside, taking up a hobby, or interacting with loved ones. You may love gaming without letting it take over your life if you prioritize leading a balanced existence.
How can I efficiently monitor how much time I spend gaming?
PC software or built-in capabilities on gaming consoles may be used to track how long you spend playing. Additionally, you may monitor how much time you spend gaming by using smartphone applications that track screen time. You can also simply note the time when you started playing and how long you continue to do so.
Avoiding Addiction
Particularly for teens and young adults, video games may be highly addicting. An NCBI survey of 393 respondents in Saudi Arabia shows that 63.1% of the respondents play video games every day. Around 62.1% of the respondents reported having a video gaming addiction. Being young and playing daily and for more than three hours a day were all independent risk factors for video game addiction.
It’s critical to identify the warning indications of problematic gaming behavior, which include ignoring obligations, becoming agitated when unable to play, etc. You may curb your gaming habits by identifying these indicators early on.
Look for substitute hobbies that might offer the same thrill or sense of accomplishment as gaming offers in order to prevent addiction. Social gatherings, artistic endeavors, and physical activity can all be beneficial ways to cope with stress and boredom. If you find it difficult to control your gaming, ask friends, family, or a mental health professional for assistance.
As stated by TorHoerman Law, many people are even alleging that developers are intentionally building games that are addictive. They use psychological manipulation, microtransactions, and feedback loops to make the gamers play more. This is causing video game addiction among youngsters, leading to mental health issues and monetary loss.
To cover these expenses, families are filing a video game addiction lawsuit against developers of popular titles like Fortnite, Roblox, and Call of Duty. Plaintiffs contend that online game producers created the games to maximize profits at the cost of vulnerable children. They neglected to alert players to these hazards and cared for only their profits.
Fostering Positive Gaming Communities
Discovering and participating in supportive gaming communities may improve your gaming experience and give you a feeling of community. Look for organizations that support respect, inclusivity, and constructive relationships. You may meet gamers who share your beliefs by participating in community events, social media groups, and online forums.
Fighting off bad experiences like bullying or toxicity in gaming may also be aided by taking part in supportive groups. Assembling a supportive gaming community can result in more pleasurable gaming sessions and friendships that go beyond the screen.
You can also create your own communities and reach out to other gamers to join them. All you need to do is identify your audience, create a platform to engage, and establish some rules and regulations for the community. You can then use social media and gaming forums to grow your community.
If I come across toxic behavior in a gaming community, what should I do?
You can quit the community and find a better match elsewhere. In order to promote a more positive atmosphere for others, it is also advantageous to report toxic conduct to the community moderators. If a community member is causing trouble, report it to the admin or someone from the management team to take appropriate action.
Prioritizing Online Safety
You should be cautious about your online safety, even if playing video games may be a fantastic way to meet new people. Data reveals that cyberattacks against gamers, especially youngsters, are constantly growing. They were up by 167% in 2022 and are expected to continue to grow beyond this. The increase in daily microtransaction processing is the primary driver of this expansion.
Use two-factor authentication if you can and create strong, one-of-a-kind passwords for your gaming accounts. This helps protect your personal information and gives your accounts an additional degree of protection.
When gaming, use caution when disclosing personal information, especially to strangers. In talks, it’s easy to get carried away, but keep in mind that not everyone is speaking with the best of intentions. Learn how to use your gaming platforms’ privacy settings and make the necessary adjustments to fit your comfort level. Additionally, notify the platform authorities of any questionable or dangerous activity you come across while playing.
How can I tell if a game is suitable for my family or me?
Check game ratings from organizations like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) or Pan European Game Information (PEGI). Reading reviews and watching gameplay videos are two more ways to find out about a game’s content. If you find that some game is not suitable for a certain age, you can lock that game and prevent it from being downloaded.
When played with awareness, gaming can be a fun and fulfilling hobby. By using the advice in this article, you may enjoy gaming without compromising your health. Enjoy yourself while making sure your gaming experience is secure and rewarding.
What's your reaction?
