How are the youth centers in the area dealing with video game addiction in our teenagers?
The newspaper Les Versants asked this question.
Regarding video games, the staff of the Maison des jeunes La Butte in Saint-Basile recommend in their approach group and community games like “the good old rock band and several cooperative games of Nintendo Switch”.
“As a behavior, we see a lot of hyper-connectivity in young people,” commented La Butte General Manager Martin Renaud from the start. Locally, there are regulations in the code de vie that specifically concern the use of computers and game consoles. Especially in terms of usage time and the type of games. »
The director of the Maison des jeunes de Saint-Bruno, Caroline Gauthier, says Wi-Fi isn’t available on-site. Video games are also supervised there. “No, not observed [de dépendance aux jeux vidéo]. [Les jeunes n’ont] so not allowed here! “, She says.
Unlike Saint-Bruno’s MDJ, La Butte has WiFi available. This further complicates the situation, according to Martin Renaud. “It is more difficult for us to regulate the use of personal devices such as smartphones. However, in our approaches, we continuously stimulate young people by offering them alternatives or intervening directly to encourage them to take regular screen breaks and develop other interests,” explains the La Butte CEO before continuing. “For our employees, technology is often used as a work and socialization tool to connect with young people. »
Among its different spaces, the MDJ of Saint-Bruno offers in particular a video game room. It was inaugurated in spring 2013, almost a decade ago. Several video games are available.
also read
There is no designated space on the La Butte side for young people to engage in electronic gaming – keep in mind that La Butte’s administration has been asking the City Council for an expansion of the premises for several years. Requests that remain in vain. Still, local teenagers have the opportunity to play on different consoles.
Note that last December, a judge approved a class action lawsuit against Epic Games, creators of the Fortnite video game. According to the collective action of Quebec parents, Fortnite would have been created to encourage some kind of addiction.