A 13-year-old Chinese girl shocked her parents and the world by spending a staggering $64,000 on smartphones in just a few months. Not only did she exhaust her parents’ life savings, but she also splurged on her friends. The devastating impact of this situation was expressed by both the girl and her mother in an interview with a local news outlet.
In recent times, video games have gained immense popularity, allowing people worldwide to immerse themselves in fantastical worlds and compete with friends. However, if not properly controlled, this form of entertainment can easily turn into an addiction and severely disrupt one’s life. The story of this young girl serves as a reminder that we must exercise wisdom in managing our time.
Let’s take a closer look at how this child managed to spend such an exorbitant amount on mobile games within a short period. The incident was initially reported by Daily Mail US, shedding light on a Chinese secondary school student from Henan province who had become addicted to video games. Her obsession had reached the point where she would even play during school hours, resulting in teachers reaching out to her parents. It was only when her mother, Gong Yiwang, decided to check her bank account that the shocking truth emerged – there was a mere seven cents left. The account records indicated that the teenager had been splurging from January to May 2022. The incident was brought to public attention when Elephant News, a local news portal, approached the family for a statement. Gong Yiwang expressed her disbelief, stating, “I never thought a 13-year-old girl could do this. I’m in a daze; my head feels like it will explode.” According to the report, the girl had been clever enough to delete the transaction records, but eventually confessed to spending approximately RMB 120,000 or $17,000 on mobile games. Furthermore, she spent an additional RMB 210,000 or $29,450 on in-game items and RMB 100,000 or $14,000 for her classmates. She attributed her actions to peer pressure, saying, “When they asked me to pay for their games, I paid despite feeling reluctant. If I didn’t send it to them, they would bother me all day. If I told the teacher, I was afraid my parents would find out and get angry.” She also admitted that she had no understanding of the value of money or the effort her parents put into earning it.
The report revealed that the girl’s spending spree began when she found a debit card at home. Initially, her mother told her to use it only when necessary, providing her with the card’s password. Unfortunately, this led to the child linking the card to her gaming account and ultimately wreaking havoc on her family’s finances.
To avoid falling into the trap of mobile game addiction, it is crucial to establish healthy habits. While tasks like work and school occupy significant portions of our time, they are not considered addictions because they do not disrupt our daily lives. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5), Internet Gaming Disorder is defined by the disruption it causes in our normal functioning. Thankfully, there are measures we can take to prevent ourselves or our children from becoming addicted to mobile games:
1. Set time limits for playing video games. For example, you can restrict your child to two hours of gameplay during the weekends and completely ban gaming on weekdays. Similarly, you can impose a two-hour limit on yourself daily.
2. Utilize built-in apps and features to monitor game time. Platforms like iOS offer features such as Focus Mode, which enables you to set time limits for specific apps.
3. If you or your child find it difficult to stop playing, consider storing your game consoles in a locked box or room. Only access them during designated game time.
4. Engage in other hobbies that do not involve computer or smartphone screens. Encourage outdoor activities like biking or participating in sports more frequently than indulging in video games.
It is important to remember that this incident serves as a cautionary tale and emphasizes the need for responsible gaming habits. By fostering open communication and maintaining a healthy balance between virtual entertainment and real-life experiences, we can ensure a happier and more fulfilling existence. For more insights into the digital landscape, visit Inquirer Tech.
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