PUBG: Parents relieved, kids restless

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 3

While parents and teachers are hugely relieved that addictive app PUBG now stands banned, the hypnotised youngsters still want to have a go at it while it is available. “Now that it has been banned, let me just play for one last time,” pleads a small boy, who incidentally is bright, obedient and under the parental control.

Another mother, while sharing her misgivings, says that her daughter and the girls of her group are praying to God that the ban be revoked. “Children have been so restless that they did not sleep last night. Till late hours they were playing the game and trying to find other alternatives to this game.” The kids are finding the Indian versions very boring and are trying to change the service providers, she adds. “The kids are not just unhappy but are under ban-related stress. As mother I definitely want the app banned as it is a very bad addiction.”

Another parent who is a teacher as well says that the game is a usurper of time and energy and that it severely impacts the mental and psychological well-being of the children. “High-strung, tense children, with aggressive tendencies and lack of self-control - it is a sorry state of affairs. As a parent and educationist, I feel that instead of blaming the kids, we should own up the responsibility that we failed to wean them away from this addictive behaviour,” she adds.

Meanwhile, psychologists say that the children addicted to this app would try to look for an alternative that is equally addictive.

According to experts of behavioural sciences, PUBG is an addiction. There are youngsters who cannot imagine life sans PUBG. In this case, the virtual has virtually become more real than the real.

Listing the issues associated with the app, psychologists say that apart from physical problems like eye strain, strained neck muscles and back problem, precious time is wasted and psychological problems are created. Youngsters lose their drive and higher ambitions, as Dr Sarabjeet Singh, an expert in psychological guidance and counselling, says. He has a word of caution. “Each case of PUBG addiction is of its own kind. How those addicted to it will respond depends on how long they have been addicted and what options are available to them.”

The experts suggest that parents should seek immediate psychological counselling in case they find their wards suffering from addictive syndrome.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.