Awareness Class for 5th -8th grade Boys on Online gaming and Addiction

Health club of St. Peter’s Senior Secondary School conducted an awareness class on Online Gaming and Addiction for boys of 5th to 8th grade classes. The classes were planned as division wise in their classrooms. It was conducted on 26/07/2022, Tuesday from, 9.10 am – 11.10 am.

The team who had taken the classes in different divisions of 5th to 8th grade classes were Health Club Members; Ms. Hain Anna Jain (Secretary, Health Club), Ms. Niya Sabu (Secretary, Health Club), Mr. Nandakishore K.H, Mr. Atul Shenoy, Mr. Muhammed Zaahir, Mr. Noel Saji, Mr. Afnan Salam, Mr. Shankar Muraleedhar,Mr.Ajay, Ms. Sradha P,V, and Ms. Mariam Benni from 9th and 11 grade classes.

The class was supported with a power point presentation made by Health Club Team. Students’ interaction and involvement were high during these classes. The classes covered an awareness session about the ill effects of online gaming and over use of digital screens along with methods and tips to handle addiction on smart phones and screens.

Tips to manage screen time and use of smart phone included turning off the notifications, out of sight out of mind rule, no phone zones, identifying the reason behind excess usage, planning offline games and time tracker to assess the duration of use.

Health Club Team executed the class in a well manner and were appreciated by teachers who monitored their classes.

Health club used the method of Peer Education in providing awareness against online game addiction, which is teaching or sharing of health information, values and behavior in educating others by students (who may share similar social backgrounds or life experiences), which is supported by many theories like Role Theory.

Role theory, Sarbin argues that peer educators will adapt to the role expectations of a tutor and behave appropriately. Furthermore, through adopting a role, individuals develop a deeper understanding and commitment to it. The potential is that Peer educators can develop a stronger commitment and a greater appreciation of the relevance of the health topic. Role theory is also based on the premise that communication can be blocked by differences in culture between the teacher and learner.

Peer educators who have a similar set of experiences and culture are therefore likely to be more effective in promoting learning. Peer education conducted by Health Club generated enthusiasm among team members to conduct programmes of similar kind in future.