If you have children or work closely with them, then you will know that gaming is now a huge part of childhood and adolescence.
From console games in the living room to games on smartphones and tablets, young people are exposed to gaming earlier than ever before.
For most children, gaming can be an enjoyable hobby that supports their growth, creativity and even their ability to interact socially.
However, when gaming begins to dominate daily life and interfere with things such as education, relationships and mental wellbeing, then it may indicate a more serious issue, known as a gaming disorder.
Gaming disorder is increasingly recognised as an addiction, particularly when it comes to younger people who have grown up surrounded by smartphones, social media and gaming.
As awareness surrounding addiction, gaming and even social media grows, parents, teachers and healthcare professionals are becoming increasingly more concerned about how excessive gaming impacts the mental health of children.
Understanding the impact that a gaming disorder can have on young people is an important step in identifying the warning signs of an addiction and providing early support for people who need and deserve help for their addiction.
This article explores the causes of a gaming addiction, the symptoms and consequences of a gaming disorder when it comes to children and adolescents, as well as what can be done to prevent and address the problem.
First, let’s look into what a gaming disorder actually is. A gaming disorder is a pattern of persistent or recurring gaming that stops a person from developing personally, socially, educationally or psychologically [1].
When someone suffers from a gaming disorder, they will likely experience less control over their behaviour, prioritisation when it comes to gaming over looking after loved ones, themselves or going to work.
They will also likely continue to game despite the negative consequences that it is having on their life and their relationships.
For a professional diagnosis from a medical professional, these signs and symptoms typically need to persist for at least twelve months and have a clear impact on everyday life.
This is because whilst many young people spend time playing video games, only a small amount of people actually develop problematic behaviour when it comes to a gaming addiction [1].
In fact, research suggests that only approximately 3% – 5% of teenagers and young people actually meet the criteria for a diagnosed gaming disorder [2].
Despite this, the number of children affected is still significant and important given the increasing popularity when it comes to gaming and young people.
There are a number of reasons why children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable when it comes to addiction to gaming.
This is mainly because their brains are still developing. During adolescence, most young people experience heightened sensitivity to failure and achievement, changes to their impulse control and are heavily influenced by friends and loved ones.
Likewise, video games are designed to become addictive. Most types of video games provide constant stimulation through features such as achievements, rewards, levels and social interaction with other players.
These features can make games highly engaging and encourage you to play for longer. These features are usually well researched by gaming companies and are rooted in neuroscience.
These features work, as research suggests that nearly 90% of all teenagers play video games, often spending over an hour each day gaming with their friends [3].
It is important to understand that whilst gaming itself is not harmful, struggling to stop when enough is enough can be.
As discussed briefly above, modern gaming platforms often incorporate design elements that are based in neuroscience that encourage long playing sessions.
Some of these features include daily challenges, online environments, in-game purchases and progression levels.
These mechanisms stimulate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine.
Over time, children and young people will start to chase these rewards in the same way that individuals pursue other addictive behaviours, such as cocaine or heroin.
Likewise, their tolerance will also increase over time. For younger players who may lack the maturity to recognise these influences, resisting these features can be difficult.
There are a number of signs and symptoms when it comes to a gaming disorder, and recognising these warning signs is essential when it comes to early intervention. Children and teenagers experiencing a gaming disorder may display some of the following behaviours [4].
Young people who are suffering from a gaming disorder might struggle to stop gaming when they know that they have had enough. In fact, any attempts to reduce their screen time may lead to frustration, anger or a breakdown of your relationship.
This loss of control can often spiral into other aspects of their life, including their hygiene, their commitment to work and their relationships.
As discussed briefly above, people who suffer from an addiction to gaming will start to neglect their responsibilities, as they would if they were struggling from another form of addiction such as an alcohol or heroin addiction.
Teenagers might start to neglect school work, chores, hobbies and even relationships as gaming starts to take over every aspect of their life.
Likewise, children and young people might start to experience mood swings, irritability or anxiety that might appear when they cannot access games, such as when spending time with family or when they are at school.
It is important to understand that teenagers in particular will start to experience hormone changes, and changes to their emotions will not always indicate an addiction but it might mean that they are vulnerable to developing one.
Lots of children and young people who develop an addiction to gaming will also develop sleep disruption.
Late-night gaming sessions may result in sleep deprivation and fatigue, which will often become apparent during the day and at school.
These symptoms often develop slowly and gradually, making it important for parents and teenagers to pay attention and remain attentive to fatigue and any apparent disruptions to their sleep.
One of the most worrying and concerning aspects of a gaming disorder is how it impacts mental health.
In fact, numerous studies have shown that a gaming disorder is frequently associated with a number of different mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and a number of other issues that impact an individual’s ability to socialise and interact with peers.
In some cases, gaming may start as a coping mechanism for emotional distress and mental health issues. For example, children experiencing anxiety or depression may turn to gaming to escape their challenges. This would be using gaming as an escape.
Likewise, research has also found that problematic gaming can increase the risk of developing a future mental health issue, including depression and anxiety.
This highlights the importance of addressing underlying emotional and mental health issues when it comes to treating and preventing a gaming addiction.
Likewise, a gaming addiction can’t also significantly impact how well people do at school or at university.
When children or young adults prioritise gaming over their school responsibilities and exams, this will create a number of different issues including reduced concentration, failing exams, missed homework and even skipping days at school.
The main reasons for this is sleep deprivation caused by late night gaming which can impact cognitive functioning and an individual’s ability to focus and learn. Teachers might start to notice declining performance or behavioural changes before parents recognise them.
In severe cases of a gaming addiction, young people may refuse to attend school entirely, as they simply want to game all day.
It is also important to understand that a gaming addiction can also impact your physical health, especially when gaming sessions go on for a very long time.
Potential health issues include a lack of sleep, eye issues, headaches, weight gain and even poor diet.
Children who remain still and sit down gaming for long periods of time might also experience musculoskeletal problems, such as back or neck pain.
Likewise, a lack of exercise and outdoor activity can lead to fatigue, obesity and reduced overall wellbeing, both physically and mentally.
As with any kind of addiction or mental health issue, early recognition is essential when it comes to preventing a gaming addiction from becoming more severe. When young people are given help, they can learn healthier habits and regain balance in their lives again, as it should be.
There are a number of different early Intervention techniques, including setting boundaries early on, setting screen time limits, encouraging other types of hobbies and addressing the underlying mental health issues that might be making them want to game more and more.
Likewise, you should try to encourage healthy sleeping patterns at bedtime as much as possible.
As you can imagine, parent and family involvement and intervention play a huge role when it comes to the mental health of young people.
Open communication, patience, understanding and consistent boundaries can help children develop healthier relationships, especially when it comes to technology.
If a child shows signs of a gaming addiction, then there are several steps that families can take to get the child the help that they need. Below are just a number of different things that parents and other care givers can do to support children with a gaming issue or gaming addiction.
Rather than banning games entirely, it is often more effective to promote moderation and balance when it comes to gaming. In fact, creating a structured schedule that includes homework, social activities, outdoor time and then a bit of time for gaming can help regulate gaming habits.
Likewise, you should do what you can to create regular sleeping and nighttime habits and schedules, as this will ensure that the child is getting enough sleep to encourage positive mental health, which is a huge risk factor when it comes to addiction issues.
You should do what you can to explore and discuss any possible mental health issues, including any issues surrounding stress, loneliness, bullying or anxiety. Understanding these factors can help and guide you to support your child or loved one.
Finally, if you feel like your child is suffering from an addiction issue, then you should seek professional help and support.
Mental health professionals specialising in behavioural addictions such as gaming addictions can help both children and you to better understand and manage gaming habits.
A gaming addiction is a complex issue that reflects a range of issues within technology, psychology and modern-day childhoods. For most children growing up in today’s world, gaming is a harmless form of entertainment.
However, when gaming begins to dominate daily life and interfere with education, relationships and wellbeing, it may signal a deeper and more complex issue.
This is why parents, teachers and other health care professionals all play an incredibly important role when it comes to recognising the warning signs and supporting young people before their addiction issue escalates.
By promoting healthier mental health and digital habits, a better sleep schedule and encouraging offline activities, it is possible to help children enjoy technology and gaming without allowing it to take control of their lives and their mental health.
If you are concerned about a child’s gaming habits or believe they might be suffering from an addiction issue, then seeking professional advice is incredibly important and can provide guidance and support for both the child and you as their family or care giver.
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8766757/
[3] https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/05/09/teens-and-video-games-today/
[4] https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/issue/gaming-addiction/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
