Indus Valley Times

By IGP Satyajit Nayak

Bhubaneswar/Odisha,Sep 24 : Excessive engagement with online games can gradually turn into a habit and affect the education, health, sleep, physical activity and social life of children and young people, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr Satyajit Nayak, has said, urging youngsters and parents to adopt responsible digital habits and maintain a healthy balance between the virtual and real worlds.

 Dr Nayak said online games could be a source of entertainment when used in moderation, but spending several hours continuously on gaming could affect studies, family time, social interaction and daily discipline.

 “Playing games for recreation is one thing, but allowing gaming to take control of one’s daily routine is another. Life outside the screen is equally important,” he said. Children and adolescents should be encouraged to manage their screen time and devote adequate time to education, outdoor sports, hobbies, reading and other constructive activities.

 Parents, he said, should remain attentive to their children’s online activities and engage with them through regular and supportive conversations rather than relying only on restrictions. The competitive nature of several online games can encourage users to spend longer periods on them, making it important for parents to know how much time their children spend gaming, what kind of games they play and with whom they interact online.