As a practitioner working with children in an educational setting, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest research on factors affecting their well-being. A recent study titled "Relationship between time spent playing internet gaming apps and behavioral problems, sleep problems, alexithymia, and emotion dysregulations in children: a multicentre study" provides critical insights that can help you support your students better.
This study investigated the time spent using internet gaming apps in children and its association with various behavioral and emotional issues. Here are some key findings and how you can implement them in your practice:
Key Findings
- Behavioral Problems: Children who used internet gaming applications for more than 6 hours had a higher proportion of abnormal responses on the emotional symptoms and hyperactivity scales.
- Sleep Issues: Excessive use of internet gaming apps was linked to poorer sleep quality, with 75% of children using these apps for more than 6 hours experiencing sleep problems.
- Alexithymia: Children who spent more time on internet gaming apps had higher levels of alexithymia, indicating difficulties in describing and expressing emotions.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Participants who used internet gaming apps for 1-2 hours had significantly lower scores on the emotional regulation scale, whereas those using apps for more than 6 hours had the highest scores.
Implementation in Practice
Here are some actionable steps you can take based on the study's findings:
- Monitor Screen Time: Encourage parents to limit their children's screen time to 1-2 hours per day, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
- Promote Healthy Sleep Habits: Educate parents and children about the importance of good sleep hygiene, including setting a consistent bedtime and reducing screen time before bed.
- Address Emotional Issues: Be vigilant for signs of emotional dysregulation and alexithymia in children who spend excessive time on gaming apps. Provide resources and referrals to mental health professionals if needed.
- Engage in Further Research: Stay updated with ongoing research and consider conducting your own studies to explore the impact of internet gaming on your student population.
By implementing these strategies, you can help mitigate the negative effects of excessive internet gaming and support your students' overall well-being.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Relationship between time spent playing internet gaming apps and behavioral problems, sleep problems, alexithymia, and emotion dysregulations in children: a multicentre study.
