Advice for parents with game-addict children

PARENTS whose children are addicted to online gaming have been offered advice to combat the problem.

The charity Parentline Plus has launched a series of tips to deal with teenagers who can't stop playing games such as World of Warcraft. It comes after Swedish experts last year compared some online games to cocaine addiction.

The advice included ensuring that a computer is in a public room rather than hidden away in the teenager's bedroom. It was also suggested children should be encouraged to play in groups rather than alone, to improve team skills.

The charity also warned parents to be aware of age restrictions. A spokesman said: "Just as you wouldn't dream of allowing your children to watch an 18-certificate film, '18' games for the X-Box or PlayStation will also contain inappropriate content, graphic language and violence."

Jeremy Todd, of Parentline Plus , said: "Our top tips will help parents improve their relationships with teenagers and resolve any potential arguments."