“My child is gaming too much!” is a common statement we hear from many parents. Gaming has become an integral part of life for many. The concern escalates when at the 72nd World Health Assembly, 194 members of the WHO unanimously agreed to adopt the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), which includes ‘gaming disorder’ as a recognised disease. The new classifications will come into effect on 1 January 2022. Below is WHO video on Gaming Disorder.
The gamers’ world stands apart from the real world, which makes it extremely attractive. The difference in the gamers’ world and the real world creates a gap between parents and gamers. In this two-part series of Parents Seminar, we firstly bring together gamers and parents in a panel for an interactive session. The second session delves deeper into the basic science behind game design and game addiction.
A gamer is anyone who games. This includes adults and even grandparents who play games like Bejeweled and Pokémon. When adults play games, it is generally not considered too much of a problem. For children and youths, concerns arise. SOOS OIO has been actively looking for ways to mitigate the negative effects of gaming and addiction while trying to harness the positive of gaming. This two-part series for parents are one of our initiatives to bridge parents and gamers.
Dates and Times:
Session 1 – 14 Sept 2019 (Sat) 10.30am – 1.00pm
Session 2 – 21 Sept 2019 (Sat) 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue:
The HaloPod @ Halogen Foundation Singapore
336 Smith Street #07-303, New Bridge Centre, Singapore 050336
Directions:
By car: Parking options can be found at Chinatown Complex. There is no complimentary parking available.
By MRT: Directional video from Chinatown MRT station to HaloPod
Cost:
S$50/pax for 1 session
S$90/pax for 2 sessions
Coffee, tea and snacks included.
Limited seats as we are keeping it small and cosy.
 | Click here to read and download the free Understanding Games and Gamers Ebook + Games and Gamers Chart. |
SESSION 1: GAMING & FAMILY – A PANEL OF PARENTS AND GAMERS
14 Sept 2019 (Sat)
10.30am-1.00pm
We are starting this two-part series with a panel of parents and gamers to discuss how gaming affects family. Like it or not, games are here to stay. Find out more about the different gamer types and their gaming motivations in relation to their Myers Briggs Type Indicator. This can provide much insight to your child’s gaming motivations and type of gamer to better interpret their behaviours. Through conversations with the panel of parents and gamers, we hope their stories and experiences can be references to manage this gaming inclusion, or to some, intrusion, in our families.
PANEL OF PARENTS
 | Ben Tan Deputy Director of the Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Kids Age: 20 (Male) and 18 (Female) Key Concern about Gaming: How esports shapes my son’s values and development as an individual. Other info: My 20 year old son is an avid esportsman. My 18 year old daughter is an avid anti-online gaming advocate. |
 | Carol Loi A digital literacy educator, parent coach & John Maxwell certified leadership and communications trainer Kids Age: 17 (Female) and 14 (Female) Key Concern about Gaming: Unable to prioritise their time that could be used for learning and development of their gifts and talents. Other Info: https://www.facebook.com/loi.carol/ |
 | Apple Teoh Stay home mom Kids Age: 19 (Male), 16 (Female) and 14 (Female with special needs) Key Concern about Gaming: Time spent and also if they know/chat with those they game with. Other Info: https://icandoitmama.com/ |
PANEL OF GAMERS
 | Xing Yong “Apeshit” Poh (27 years old) Psychology Research Assistant Worse Thing I Did for Gaming: I fought with family because they hid the modem. I ran away from home for two days. |
 | Jean “Jayelpeaeff” Lee (24 years old) Assistant Case Manager Worse Thing I Did for Gaming: I played so much that my father poured water on the laptop. I had cold war with him for a month. |
 | Timothy “Cryptic” Teo (28 years old) Software programmer Worse Thing I Did for Gaming: Spent a few hundred dollars on in-game currency. |
 | Caleb “Lalisa.M” Tai (14 years old) Secondary 2 student Worse Thing I Did for Gaming: Played 16 hours nonstop. Only ate when parents bring food into my room. |
SESSION 2: UNDERSTANDING GAMES AND GAME ADDICTION
21 September 2019 (Sat)
11.00am-1.00pm
Why are games so attractive? How do we keep up with the increasing number of games? How can we make sense out of this sea of games?
To prevent drug abuse and addiction, the knowledge about the composite of the drug and its effects helps us frame our perception towards drug. This is the first guard against addiction. Similarly, to prevent game addiction, we need to understand games and its effects on us. Our approach to this topic is first to understand games before going into the psychology of addiction, more specifically to games.
Join Ruth Lim in a journey into the world of games. We will explore the various types of games and game genres that are popular among the young people, breaking down the various components of game design. By understanding your child’s world of games, you might understand your child and their needs to start off conversations and deepen the relationship.
The cause of addiction is not only from the substance, in our case, gaming. It happens when deeper human needs are not met. Join Nicholas Lim to learn more about addiction and “positive addiction” from a psychologist point of view.
Below is an animation about Addiction based on Bruce Alexander’s research about the cause of addiction.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Nicholas Gabriel Lim
Faculty of William Glasser Institute International & Singapore
Basic Instructor and Practicum Supervisor
Registered Psychologist, Singapore (SRP)
Approved Clinical Supervisor, Singapore (SRP)
SRP Reg. No: 008090148
M.A. Applied Psychology (Singapore)
B.A. Psychology (Australia)
Certified Practitioner for Adventure Therapy
Certified Associate in Emergenetics Profiling
Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Behavior Management
As a Choice Theory influenced psychologist, Nicholas has developed a deep interest in the way thinking affects people’s behaviours. As a result, he leverages neuroscience to further inform his practice. He also promotes healthy development of thoughts and behaviours, and the understanding of how it can be achieved. He believes individuals can improve their quality of life through effective management of their thoughts and behaviours.
Nicholas volunteers his time and expertise as much as he can to different causes. The one that he is most passionate about involves families and young persons. He volunteers on advisory councils, boards of non-profit organisations; he also educates young and learned minds in psychology, and supervises budding psychologists in their field practicums. In his free time, he enjoys spending time being with his wife and three children.
https://choicetheoryandrealitytherapy.wordpress.com/approach/services/addictions/
Ruth “Potatofluff” Lim
Ruth is on staff with SOOS OIO as an Esports Coach and co-developed TeleTrip, an offline gaming community event. She conducts DOTA 2 foundational classes and workshops for Esports Academy under SCOGA and also teaches the module “Team Management” in Informatics Diploma for Esports and Game Design.
Ruth Lim coached a competitive DOTA 2 team TenTwenty in 2017 that won CPL Championship DOTA 2 Edition 2017, came in 1st in Dew Challenge 2017 and represented Singapore in Asia Pacific Predator League in 2018. Ruth managed Team Impunity FIFA Online 3 who got 3rd in EA Champions Cup (EACC) Winter Cup 2016 representing Singapore. In 2017, she coached Team Impunity FIFA Online 3.
Ruth graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with Diploma in Games & Entertainment Technology and SIT-University of Glasgow in Bachelors of Science with Honours in Computing Science. She also holds a CoachSG coaching certificate.
Well recognized in the DOTA 2 community, Ruth attended numerous international gaming tournaments, got to know and learnt from many of the top players worldwide. Ruth hopes to share her knowledge and experience to gamers in Singapore and beyond.