A gaming disorder, sometimes referred to as “video game addiction ,” is a pattern of game-playing behavior—involving online gaming or offline video games—that is difficult to control and that continues unabated despite serious negative consequences in other areas of the gamer’s life.
Children and Video Games
About 90 percent of adolescents report playing video games of some kind, according to a 2018 survey by Pew Research Center. With the amount of time children and teens spend gaming, it’s natural for parents to wonder how video games affect their children, if they should implement rules around screen time , and whether they should be concerned about their children’s mental health. It can especially difficult for parents to know how to proceed because children's entire social lives may take place through gaming. Identifying why a child plays video games is often the first step of understanding how to curb video game use and help cultivate balance in children’s lives.
A gaming addiction involves a lack of control despite adverse consequences—if your child can pull themselves away from a game to join the family for dinner, for example, and shows interest in other activities, like sports or socializing, the child doesn’t have an addiction. Kids may be drawn to video games because they satisfy psychological needs such as competence, autonomy, and connection, which are sometimes difficult to find in other places.
Video games are often intentionally designed to capitalize on users’ attention and engagement, such as through patterns of rewards that users receive. But gaming has other qualities that make it appealing as well, especially to children . Users create avatars through which they can remain anonymous while expressing their unique traits and qualities. Friendships and communities form around gaming. Video games also provide positive feelings due to goal achievement and problem solving.
Parents often express concern that their children won’t quit gaming. Parents who want to curb excessive gaming can set limits on their child’s time that emphasize the balance of activities like sleep and schoolwork. Parents can ask children to silence notifications about their games so there are fewer temptations. It can also be valuable to try playing with a child to better understand their interest and to provide positive reinforcement when children do something right, because praise sometimes changes behavior when reproach does not. Helping children develop skills to navigate stress , social situations, and other challenges is also important.
Explore More About Video Game Addiction
For a comprehensive understanding of video game addiction, read our complete guide: