Is my child addicted to online gaming and video games?

For many young people today, gaming is an integral part of their lives. It’s where they can connect with friends, problem-solve and get creative. But for some, gaming can take over and start to negatively impact their life. Understanding video games and addiction is essential for recognising when a pastime has turned into a problem. 

What is gaming addiction?

When gaming starts to have a negative impact, it can be described as ‘problematic gaming engagement’. This means a young person might be playing games too often or for too long, or may be finding it hard to stop. While this can be worrying for parents, for most young people, parental concerns that they are gaming too much don't necessarily indicate they have an addiction or a disorder.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines gaming disorder as a pattern of persistent behaviour that causes significant impairment in daily life. Simply put, this means your teen has lost control over how much they play, prioritises gaming over their health and relationships, and continues to play despite the harm it causes them. 

The number of hours played isn't the only indicator of a disorder. The real test is the impact on a person’s wellbeing, relationships and responsibilities.

Signs of gaming addiction: what to look out for

While there are many different signs that gaming might be becoming an issue, their presence doesn't automatically mean your teen has a gaming addiction. Instead, these signs may just be a signal that your young person’s current habits have become unhealthy and that it might be time to look at finding a better balance.

A true gaming addiction, however, can show up as a loss of control that can impact a teen's life at home, at school and with friends. You may see a pattern in these behavioural, emotional and physical changes.

Behavioural signs of gaming addiction

Changes in behaviour are often the first sign that gaming might be becoming a problem or may be sliding into addiction territory. If your young person struggles to cut back on screen time or starts prioritising gaming over school, work or family life, it could be a sign that things are starting to get out of balance.

Some common behavioural signs include:

• always thinking or talking about gaming, with reduced engagement in other interests

• playing for longer and longer periods to get the same level of enjoyment

• ignoring agreed time limits or sneaking in extra sessions

• skipping meals, sleep or chores to keep playing

• feeling restless, moody or cranky when they can’t play.

If gaming starts to take priority over other parts of your teen’s life, it’s worth checking in and seeing what’s driving the behaviour. It may not always be a gaming addiction; rather, it could just be a sign that things have become a bit unbalanced and that your teen might need some extra support.

Emotional signs of gaming addiction

Gaming can be a big source of comfort and fun, but when it becomes the only way to cope with tough feelings, that’s a red flag. Young people who are gaming too much might:

• feel anxious, low or irritable when they can’t play

• feel relief or even euphoria when they start gaming again

• feel guilty, ashamed or ‘stuck’ after long sessions

• struggle to manage emotions or stress without turning to games.

While gaming might help in the short term, over time, it can make these feelings worse, trapping the young person in a cycle of needing to play to feel okay.

Physical signs of gaming addiction

Too much gaming can take a physical toll, too. You might notice that your teen:

• is tired and has trouble concentrating after late-night gaming

• experiences headaches, sore eyes, or back and neck pain from long sessions

• is skipping meals or has irregular eating habits

• isn’t paying much attention to their hygiene or appearance

• is experiencing changes in weight due to inactivity or snacking while gaming.

Over time, lack of sleep and movement can affect both mood and overall health, so it’s important to encourage your teen to take regular breaks, be physically active and follow healthy routines.

Social and financial warning signs

When gaming takes up more and more time, friendships and family relationships can start to suffer. You might notice that your young person is:

• withdrawing from social activities

• arguing more about gaming time

• losing interest in hobbies they used to love

• spending less time with family and friends.

Money can also become an issue, especially with games that encourage in-app purchases, skins or upgrades. Warning signs include:

• overspending on gaming or hiding their transactions

• using money meant for other things

• feeling stressed or defensive when money is mentioned.

If you’re noticing several of these signs, it could help to have an open, calm chat about how gaming is fitting into your young person’s life and explore together ways to bring things back into balance.

How gaming addiction can affect your teen

Gaming addiction can impact almost every part of a young person’s life, affecting their mental health, physical wellbeing and relationships.

Mental health

You might notice that excessive gaming is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and poor sleep in your teen. When they use gaming to escape emotional distress, it can lead to them avoiding real-life problems and experiencing worsening stress. This emotional reliance can also make it feel like your teen's attention span and motivation are starting to slip.

Physical wellbeing

Long hours spent on screens can lead to physical symptoms you might notice in your teen, such as back and neck pain, eye strain or poor posture. Irregular eating and disrupted sleep often create a cycle of fatigue that affects their performance at school or work, while long-term inactivity raises the risk of other health issues.

Relationships

When gaming starts to take over, it can crowd out the other parts of your teen's life. You might also notice more family tension as family boundaries break down, such as agreed screen-free zones or limits on playing during mealtimes. You may feel like their friendships and romantic relationships are suffering or fading as gaming takes priority. The resulting isolation and loneliness can then reinforce their need to retreat into gaming for comfort.

Read more about the signs of problematic gaming engagement.

Why is it so hard to stop gaming?

Many video games are designed to be highly rewarding. They stimulate the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine (the pleasure chemical), which makes players want more. Some video games include features designed to incentivise players to keep playing, such as daily check-in quests or loot boxes. 

Video games can also be particularly hard to put down because they fulfil important emotional needs. 

• They provide a sense of mastery: Games offer clear goals, a sense of achievement and a feeling of competence that may be missing in real life.

• They enable social belonging: Online communities provide connection, identity and social validation.

• They provide escape and relief: For young people dealing with anxiety, depression or social difficulties, gaming can be a powerful way to find temporary structure and relief from emotional pain.

Can video games be positive?

Absolutely. When played in moderation, video games can boost problem-solving skills, spark creativity and build teamwork. Online gaming can also help young people to build and maintain social connections through mutual interests, especially for those who live in rural areas or outside of mainstream schooling.

Not all video games are the same. Strategic games can help with patience and planning, while team-based co-op games like Rocket League are great for learning how to collaborate with others. Open-ended, creative games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing can encourage players’ self-expression and creativity. The key difference between healthy and unhealthy gaming is whether the gamer is playing with intention and limits or is slipping into a habit that feels hard to control.

Here are a few ways to keep your teen’s gaming positive.

• Agree with them that they can play only after they’ve finished essential stuff like school, work or chores.

• Encourage them to take breaks to stretch and move around, or to rest their eyes.

• Stress the need for them to make time for other things they enjoy, not just gaming.

• Discourage them from choosing games with a potentially addictive design, and help them instead to choose games that help players learn new skills or require them to participate as part of a team.

• Play with your children and get them to teach you about their favourite games.

Gaming can be part of a teen’s healthy, balanced lifestyle. It just shouldn’t take the place of important things like sleep, study, exercise, or spending time with people they care about. Learn more about the risks and benefits of gaming for young people.

Practical steps to encourage balanced gaming

The goal is to restore control and balance, not to ban gaming completely. Sudden harsh bans often backfire and create more conflict. Start with a gradual, supportive approach.

1. Talk it out with them

Approach the discussion with a sense of curiosity and without judging your teen. Encourage them to open up about their gaming habits. Ask questions like:

• ‘What do you enjoy most about gaming? What makes it hard to stop?’

• ‘How do you feel when you can't play?’

• ‘Besides gaming, what else helps you to relax or to socialise?’

These sorts of questions build trust and help your teen to understand the emotions tied to their habits. It’s really important to create a safe space to openly discuss gaming habits. Many young people are less likely to engage in a conversation if they are worried about losing access to their favourite games. 

2. Set clear, consistent boundaries

Establish clear, realistic boundaries for gaming time and device use, and make sure they apply to everyone in the home.

• Set caps: Establish daily or weekly gaming limits and encourage a break every hour. Where available, it can be helpful to use parental control features that limit daily play.

• Create screen-free zones: Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight and make mealtimes and certain family areas strictly screen-free.

• Build routines: Encourage a 'work before play' approach. This means making sure that things like homework, chores, getting outside for some fresh air and having a good night’s sleep come before gaming.

3. Promote engaging alternatives

Help your teen find other activities that give them a sense of accomplishment and connection.

• Encourage sports, music, art, volunteering, or offline family activities like cooking or board games.

• Model healthy screen behaviour yourself by putting your phone away during family time.

• Incorporate cooperative video gaming as part of family activities, and experiment with learning different team-based games together.

When to seek professional help

If your teen has tried to cut back on gaming but keeps slipping back into old habits, or if gaming is starting to cause distress or to get in the way of school, work, sleep or relationships, it might be time to reach out for some extra support.

A mental health professional, like a psychologist who understands behavioural addictions, can help your young person explore what’s behind their gaming habits and learn new ways to cope. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one approach that can be really effective. CBT focuses on identifying triggers, building healthy routines and regaining a sense of control. Family therapy can also be helpful if communication or trust has been affected at home.

Your teen can also reach out to free online support services like headspace and Kids Helpline. Calling a helpline gives your teen a safe, anonymous space to talk with a professional who can help them understand their gaming habits and develop practical strategies for regaining balance.

It’s helpful to remember that gaming itself isn’t the enemy. When played in moderation and with healthy boundaries, video games can support problem-solving, creativity and teamwork. The key is balance. Gaming should fit around life, not the other way around.

By noticing warning signs early, supporting your teen in managing their emotions in other ways, and helping them to stick with consistent boundaries, you can turn gaming back into something positive and enjoyable for them.

Frequently asked questions