PUBG is a big thing in my home. I often hear excited chatter telling someone to be careful, to shoot, to run… etc. etc. I am not precisely sure how the thing works, but I do wish – as most other parents would – that my children would spend less time on the video game. To be sure there is a lot of alarmism surrounding the use of PUBG and other such games like Fortnite etc. Recent news about the 'Gameplay Management' system from PUBG may be a comfort and these other tips for healthy gaming may also be welcome:
This is meant to help players have a balanced and sustainable gaming experience. Players will need to feed in their age to activate the system and players under 18 will have to acknowledge the gaming advisory before being allowed to proceed. The system will track logins and help players manage time. Users will be prompted to stop playing or take a break after some time.
It can be easy to get immersed in gaming to forget everything else. So begin by being seated in an upright position in a good posture. An ergonomic chair with armrests may be a good idea. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and well lit. The bright colours and quickly moving images make our eyes work harder in the dark. You can also make this a rule – no gaming in bed.
Give the body, eyes and mind some time to relax. Uncurl from the position you’ve been in. Get up and move around even while you're playing if possible. Stretch out your arms, rotate your wrists and shoulders, keep your circulation going. Some experts recommend these stretches to avoid e-sport injuries.
It can be tempting to reach for the salty chips and the carbonated drinks while gaming. Resist the urge to snack on unhealthy items. Remember to drink water and eat a regular balanced diet; for snacks, choose fruit or nuts.
Prioritise sleep. Do not compromise on this, no matter how well the game is going. Also, have a wind-down routine after gaming and before going to bed to calm the mind down; so that your brain isn’t active and wound-up and still in the gaming zone.
Prioritise the important things that need doing and apportion time for gaming after this. Set time limits for gaming – maybe set up a warning bell or an alarm to remind you to wind up. For parents looking to restrict gaming time, it may be a good idea – particularly during the long summer – to set time limits. Parents can also set preconditions to gaming – X amount of holiday homework or household chores – to be completed before any gaming.
Spend time with family and enjoy being with friends... Without gadgets of any sort! Enjoy simple human connections and interactions. Make it a point to play out of doors every day. As a parent, I find that a lot of young kids who are deeply into gaming are not very socially adept or well adjusted. They are tongue-tied, uncomfortable and awkward in social situations. This is worrying because poorly developed interpersonal skills have several negative consequences! Above all, remember, gaming is a very small part of life, not life itself.
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