Dear Sir/Madam, I hope my answer will be of some assistance to you.
You are a kind and sensible older sister who cares about and loves her younger sister. Your younger sister is fortunate to have a sister like you. By seeking ways to help her, you will undoubtedly have a positive impact on your younger sister and your entire family.
I would advise you to:
It is advisable to communicate with your parents, particularly your mother, and relinquish control. Yelling and smashing the iPad are ineffective and only address the symptoms, not the underlying cause.
I believe your younger sister is currently in the seventh grade.
In general, after puberty, a child's sense of self develops, and they require their own independent space and respect. If the mother only scolds her and confiscates the iPad, she can temporarily stop her sister from playing games. However, if she wants to find a way out, she will find it through other methods, as she does have money.
I am curious as to why my younger sister has such a significant amount of money at her disposal. If feasible, you may wish to consider placing certain restrictions on her access to funds and allocating a specific portion for her use, rather than providing her with an unlimited sum. Otherwise, she may lack an understanding of financial management and be prone to impulsive spending in the future.
It is crucial to identify and address our sister's underlying needs rather than merely reacting to her behavior. If her needs remain unmet, she may resort to repeating the same behaviors, as they provide a sense of fulfillment.
From your description, it seems that your sister grew up in a family where academic achievement was highly valued, yet she received less recognition than you and your brother. Was she also the one who received the most disciplinary actions? It appears that she craved recognition but often lacked it from her mother, who was quick to scold her and lose her temper. Uncertain of how to gain her mother's approval and recognition, she turned to gaming as a source of happiness and recognition.
If the mother continues to exert control, it will further alienate her sister, as she is not seeking control but understanding, support, respect, and help. The sister is aware that gaming is not beneficial and may be motivated to change.
2. It is important to understand your younger sister's reasons for being addicted to her phone. Once you have identified these reasons, you can provide her with positive guidance based on acceptance.
You have indicated that your younger sister has consistently experienced significant pressure. Consequently, it is important to recognize that addiction to games is not the primary issue. Rather, she derives pleasure from the content on her phone, particularly from platforms like TikTok and games. This is because she struggles to find joy in learning, while you are able to find joy in games. Due to her perceived failure in learning, she experiences distress and seeks an escape. However, in games, she experiences a sense of achievement. She feels a sense of competence and happiness, which are highly attractive to her.
It is recommended that you have an open and honest conversation with your sister about your concerns regarding her iPad usage. By demonstrating understanding and actively listening to her, you can facilitate a constructive dialogue about her preferences and experiences. This approach can help you build a stronger relationship with her and gain deeper insights into her needs and feelings. It is essential to communicate with her openly and with genuine interest. By doing so, she will feel heard and understood, which can lead to more effective communication. If you consistently educate and criticize her, it may hinder her willingness to communicate.
3. Once a relationship has been established, assist your sister in identifying sources of achievement and enjoyment in the real world.
As previously stated, my sister's addiction to games stems from her perception of inadequacy in the real world. She seeks to attain a sense of self-worth and accomplishment through these virtual pursuits. Your sister possesses numerous advantages that can be leveraged to offset this tendency. Her early training in piano and ballet, coupled with her proficiency in swimming at the national level, provide ample opportunities for her to feel a sense of accomplishment and competence in other areas.
It is therefore recommended that you refrain from blaming her for her lack of academic effort and instead focus on her strengths and help her find enjoyment in her daily life. When she can also gain a sense of achievement and pleasure in her daily life, she will not be so dependent on the online world.
Furthermore, it is important to note that learning remains a significant aspect of her life. Given her current challenges with her studies, it is likely that she is unsure of how to overcome these difficulties. You can assist her in identifying the root cause of the issue and share effective study techniques. You can also guide her in discussing the content of her studies with you. Over time, with your guidance, she will develop a stronger interest in studying.
Furthermore, it should be noted that this is a gradual process. It is not realistic to expect her to stop playing all at once, as this is difficult to achieve. Instead, a systematic desensitization approach should be employed. In the first week, reduce the time by one hour per day, and in the second week, reduce it by two hours per day, and so on, until it can finally be reduced to less than one hour of phone use per day. This can be negotiated with her, as both parties are working towards the same goal. When she feels that you are on the same side, rather than against her, she will be more willing to change.
Please refer to the above for further details. Best regards,


Comments
It sounds like your sister is going through a tough time, and it's hard to see her struggle. I can imagine how worried you must be about her gaming habits and the pressure she feels. Maybe we could try talking to her in a more relaxed setting, like when you're doing something fun together, to see if she opens up about what's on her mind.
Your family seems to have a lot of talent, especially your sister with her music, dance, and swimming. It's great that you recognize and support her abilities. Have you considered suggesting an activity that could help her channel her energy into something positive? Perhaps finding a new hobby or joining a club might give her a break from screens and help her find balance.
I understand how challenging it can be to approach someone who might be hiding their feelings. It's important to let your sister know that you're there for her, no matter what. Sometimes just being present and offering a listening ear can make a big difference. You could start by telling her how much you admire her talents and ask if there's anything she wants to talk about.
It's clear that you care deeply for your sister, and it's commendable that you want to help her. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, maybe you can celebrate her achievements and encourage her to set small, manageable goals. This way, she can feel a sense of accomplishment without the overwhelming pressure to succeed.
The situation with the iPad must have been really upsetting for everyone involved. It might be helpful to have a family meeting where everyone can express their feelings and concerns openly. That way, you can all work together to come up with a plan that addresses the gaming issue while also supporting your sister's emotional wellbeing.