Stay Away From Excessive Online GamingProtect Your Life: IGP Satyajit Nayak .

Bhubaneswar,24/09(PPT): 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.

Dr Nayak also stressed the importance of cyber safety while using online gaming platforms, cautioning youngsters against sharing passwords, personal information or other sensitive details with strangers, clicking on suspicious links, downloading applications from unverified sources or making careless financial transactions. Children should be familiarised with basic cyber-safety practices and encouraged to immediately approach parents, teachers or other trusted adults if they encounter suspicious or uncomfortable situations online. He said digital awareness should include privacy, online behaviour, financial safety and responsible use of technology. Parents, teachers and society, he added, have a collective responsibility to promote digital discipline among children and young people by encouraging outdoor activities, reading, music, creative pursuits and meaningful family interaction. “Life is precious. No online game or digital entertainment can be more valuable than one’s life, family, education, health and future. Young people should stay away from excessive gaming, use their time wisely and protect their future,” Dr Nayak said, adding that technology should remain a tool to improve life rather than replace real-world relationships, responsibilities and healthy activities .