6 Hudson Valley Parent
n
Spring 2020
of reference to base our rules
upon, it can be tough to decide
what they should be. As a par-
ent and a teacher, I notice that
young kids are more likely to
have "screen time" rules set for
them than older kids and teens.
Local teacher Nicole Scalzo
of Poughkeepsie has seen
the negative effects gaming
can have on young people
firsthand, including that their
classmates swear at them while
playing online games. "Friends
end up not speaking to one
another due to online disputes
from the night before,"
she said.
If you suspect your
child has a gaming addic-
tion, seek out professional
help. At home, however,
you can also help your
child:
• Remove all electronic
devices from view. When
my kids lose their devices,
at first, they act like the
world is ending. Yet soon
enough, miraculously,
they adjust and find oth-
er things to do. Placing
games and devices out of
sight and out of mind does
help.
