Video Games

Wireless Video Games Create Wireless Exposures

Almost all  wireless gaming consoles (such as XBox, Nintendo, Playstation and Wii) emit wireless radiation. The wireless handheld controllers also emit wireless. Radiation emissions intensify when you are pressing buttons and playing the game. 

Continuous Wireless Radiation

Some gaming base units emit radiation even if you are not using them. As long as they have a power source, they are radiating.  This means you can be playing a card game near the console and your body is absorbing invisible wireless radiation. Remember that Bluetooth radiation is wireless radiation.   

Reducing the wireless exposure.

Buy a fully wired/corded gaming system so that the handset is wired to the console. If you have a wireless system, please-  as a first step unplug the device when not using it; then replace it with a non-wireless system. Handsets should be wired to the console.  Do not have gaming consoles in bedrooms. 

In fact video game systems emit wireless radiation in addition to electric and magnetic electromagnetic fields. The closer to the body, the higher the exposure. Children should not be sitting against gaming consoles, even if you wire them up, rather than use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 

Buyer Beware: Sitting next to a wireless game console means you could be exposing your body to very high levels of radiation. 

Companies Ensure You Are Warned 

“The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using low power wireless devices. There is no proof, however, that these low power wireless devices are absolutely safe. Low power Wireless devices emit low levels of radio frequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure of low-level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low-level RF exposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that some biological effects might occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by additional research.”

– Playstation Vita

How do I let my children play video games without the wireless radiation? 

There are video gaming devices that you can use with an ethernet cable instead of wireless. Each model is different. Be aware that the gaming console will emit wireless radiation nonstop, even when you are not playing on them. 

Simple steps

1. Get the console on a power strip so you can power it off when not in use. This will decrease daily exposure. 
2. Hardwire the console and handsets and then disable wireless antennas in the console. 

Choosing a safer video game set up. 

Choose a system where: 

• You can connect the dock or console to the router with ethernet 
• The handheld controllers can be corded rather than wireless 
• You can disable the Wi-Fi antennas on the console 

Nintendo Switch

A Nintendo Switch is available with a wired controller when you play with the Nintendo Switch in the dock. You can also use your Nintendo Switch with an ethernet adapter instead of WiFi to connect your dock to your internet router with a Shielded Ethernet Cable. 

Building Biologist Mitch Marchand has deep dive directions on how to hardwire gaming consoles. 

• Nintendo Switch without WiFi-  click here.
• How to Hardwire a PS4 gaming console-  click here.

Gaming  is Addictive And Linked to Many Emotional Problems

A rapidly growing body of research is documenting serious psychological impacts associated with excessive children’s video gaming such as depression, anxiety, hostility and emotional detachment. Video games are designed to stimulate dopamine in the brain and are physically addictive. This kind of addiction is called “Internet gaming disorder.” Researchers have also found functional and structural changes in the brain which are basically the same as those seen in other addictive disorders.  

In the DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association  defined Internet Gaming Disorder with diagnostic criteria closely related to Gambling Disorder. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified gaming disorder as a new disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases* (ICD). In some countries, including South Korea and China, video gaming is recognized as a disorder and treatment programs are established.

Resources on Gaming Addiction  

Zone’in

Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist has an excellent research repository on children and screens, factsheets resources and videos. 

• Research Review Factsheet 
• Self-Regulation Questionnaire 
• Technology Addiction Questionnaire
• Technology Use Guidelines for Children and Youth – Healthy Tips
• Ten steps to successfully unplug children from technology
• Zone’in Cris Rowans Website 

Families Managing Media

An organization with tools and resources for parents to educate and encourage families to better understand and manage the effects of screen use on child development.

• Families Managing Media Website
• Families Managing Media YouTube 

The Internet Addiction Test. Psychology Tools. Internet Addiction Test

Books 

Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by  Dr. Victoria Dunkley.

Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids – and How to Break the Trance

Nicholas Kardaras Ph.D. 

Virtual Child: The Terrifying Truth About What Technology is Doing to Children by Cris A. Rowan – Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Child Development Expert

The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair PhD and Teresa Barker