Brit kids as young as 11 are being taken into care due to severe gaming addictions

CHILDREN as young as 11 are being taken from their families over fears they are addicted to gaming.

As many as 13 kids were put into care in just a two-month period because of concerns over the amount of time spent on computers or consoles.

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It is believed the severe interventions are the first of their kind, according to an investigation by .

Behavioural addiction specialist Professor Mark Griffiths told the paper: “This problem is increasing.”

Parents are being warned to look out for warning signs of gaming addiction.

Affected youngsters often lag behind at school and shun friends and family as they shut themselves away to play video games around the clock.

CHILDREN TAKEN INTO CARE

Of the 13 children taken into care, one was aged just 11, according to The Mirror.

They came from Yorkshire, Merseyside, London, ­Gloucestershire and the Isle of Wight, according to data released under Freedom of Information.

Some of the children were removed because their parents were gaming addicts and neglected them.

The 11-year-old was taken into care by Wakefield Council in West Yorkshire.

PARENTS WARNED

Experts say that parents offering unrestricted access to computers and games consoles allows kids to become hooked.

Prof Griffiths, a ­behavioural ­addiction specialist at Nottingham Trent University, added: "People are now being taken in to care because of their gaming and I am not surprised.

"What I’m talking about is ­children mainly between eight and 18.

“If there is parental responsibility ­children wouldn’t have unfettered access around the clock.

"We are talking about gaming that takes over a child’s life to the neglect of all else."

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Signs of addictions include loss of interest in other actives and hobbies.

Personality changes - including becoming more aggressive and violent - are also common.

The World Health ­Organisation has recognised gaming addiction as a mental health condition.

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