Mum force feeds video-game addicted son, 13, refusing to leave screen

A woman has had to hand-feed her video game-addicted son at an internet cafe because he would not step away from his screen long enough to eat.

Lilybeth Marvel, 37, from the Philippines, has to feed her 13-year-old son Carlito while he indulges in 48-hour marathons playing a video game called Rules of Survival.

To prove it, she filmed herself feeding the teenager, who opens his mouth to eat the food but doesn’t take his eyes away from the screen.

In the video Ms Marvel can be heard saying “my poor child, here, eat now.”

A mum has been forced to to hand-feed her son at an internet cafe because he would not step away from his screen. Photo: Viral Press
A mum has been forced to to hand-feed her son at an internet cafe because he would not step away from his screen. Photo: Viral Press

She also asks him if he wants to take the vitamins his grandmother has sent because she is worried he will become malnourished.

The child no longer attends school because of his addiction and his parents are now pleading for help.

“I used to just nag him about his online games, but that didn’t work,” she said.

“So I’m trying a different approach.

The child no longer attends school because of his addiction and his parents are pleading for help. Photo: Viral Press
The child no longer attends school because of his addiction and his parents are pleading for help. Photo: Viral Press

“I try to make him feel that whatever is happening in his life, I am his mother who loves him and takes care of him.”

The World Health Organisation has officially recognised “gaming disorder” as a mental health issue after a 15-year-old teenager in the UK was officially diagnosed and treated for his internet gaming addiction.

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