Thousands of gaming websites are created every day. Some of them offer fun and addictive games that attract a large number of players. However, people with poor self-control especially young children may spend excessive time on gaming websites, which can have a negative impact on health.
Blocking gaming websites is one of the most effective ways to overcome gaming addiction. In this article, I’ll show you how to do that.
Warning signs of gaming addiction
Some players are addicted to gaming but don’t even realize it. Here are some warning signs of gaming addiction. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or your child, it’s time to take action.
- Can’t control game time: Players with game addition usually can’t control the time they spend playing games every day, and will not stop even if they know it’s time to do other things, such as working or studying. Sometimes they may even stay up all night to play a game.
- Lose interest in other things: Except playing games, game addicts may lose interest in most other things. For example, they no longer enjoy some of their previous hobbies, and no longer willing to spend time communicating with family and friends.
- Easily get angry when playing games: When someone becomes deeply immersed in gaming, their emotions can be easily affected by games. For example, they may get angry after losing a match, or get mad when someone interrupts their game. When gaming websites are blocked on their devices (I will discuss this further in part 3 of this article), they will feel frustrated and have nothing to do.
- Hard to focus on things: The inability to focus on things beyond games is also a common sign of gaming addiction. Specifically, when studying or working, it is easy to be distracted and can’t help but open the game website. Even when not playing games, the game screen will repeatedly appear in the mind.
See also: Why Some Games Are So Addictive: The Psychology Behind Gaming
Negative effects of too much gaming
While moderate gaming can help us relieve stress, excessive gaming can can lead to a wide range of negative effects.
- Physical health issues: People who play games for a long time usually maintain the same posture for a long time every day, which can lead to many health issues, such as cervical spondylosis, headache, decreased vision, etc. Staying up late to play games may also lead to decreased immunity and memory.
- Mental health problems: Many games contain violent or bloody content. For example, in some games, you should kill other characters. In the process of playing these games, players are easily affected by violent elements and become irritable or aggressive. Once they fail in the game or are restricted from playing, their emotions can easily get out of control.
- Low work efficiency or academic performance: Excessive gaming can also seriously affect attention, leading to low work efficiency or a decline in academic performance. It can even make players unwilling to do anything except playing games. Important tasks are constantly postponed while playing games.
- Lack of social interaction: People who play games excessively tend to stay away from real social interaction, and no longer have communication with friends. They immerse themselves in the virtual world. Once stop playing games, they will feel very lonely.
- Excessive consumption: Some game websites allow players to pay to get good equipment, beautiful skins, etc. Players continue to spend money on games, even excessive consumption, causing financial pressure.
How to block gaming websites using a professional game blocker?
Are you or your child addicted to games? Are you looking for effective ways to overcome game addiction? Fortunately, there is a tool that can help you.
Cisdem AppCrypt is a professional game blocker for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. Using it, you can block access to gaming sites easily. It lets you block specific gaming sites, block a ton of popular gaming sites with one click, or even block all gaming sites.
Here’s how to use it to block gaming websites on computer:
Step 1: Install Cisdem AppCrypt from its official site.
Step 2: Open it. Set a password.
Step 3: Click the lock icon in the taskbar or menu bar. Select “Open Main Window”.
Step 4: Enter the password to access the main window of this porn blocker.
Step 5: Go to the “Web Block” tab. For Windows users, you’ll be required to install the extension on each browser on your computer, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Brave.
Mac users can skip this step. The blocking will automatically apply to all common browsers.
Step 6: Now you can block gaming websites according to your needs. In the “Web Block” tab,
- To block specific gaming websites: enter the domain name of the gaming website in the top URL box. Click “Add”.
- To block gaming websites by category: click the “Import” button. Select “Games Sites”.
- To block all gaming websites: Enable the “Block all websites” button in the bottom left corner. Click “Exceptions”. Switch to the “Always Allow” tab. Add some sites that you need to use normally. Then, this porn blocker will block all sites on your computer except the ones you allow.
This game blocker is also available for Android and iOS devices. You can download it from the Google Play or App Store.
Blocking gaming websites isn’t enough to overcome gaming addiction
To completely overcome gaming addiction, it is not enough to simply block gaming websites on the addict’s devices. Family members of game addicts should not only prevent them from playing games by blocking game websites, prohibiting Internet access, etc., but should also help them rebuild their life rhythm through companionship, understanding and communicating.
For example, doing outdoor sports together and developing other hobbies. For those who are severely addicted to games, it is best to seek help from a psychologist.
Final Thoughts
Gaming is the most popular form of entertainment. Moderate games can relieve stress and even improve our creativity. However, addiction to games can have a negative effects on physical and mental health, social interaction, etc.
This article introduces the common signs of gaming addiction, the negative effects of excessive gaming, and how to block gaming websites using a professional game blocker. I hope it helps you.
