Are Video Games Impacting Your Child’s Mental Health?
Published: March 24, 2025
Since the launch of home consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, video games have captured the imaginations of youth everywhere. But as gaming’s popularity soars, healthcare professionals and parents have questioned the health impact on youth. Now, a new comprehensive study by online medical journal Cureus provides some concerning answers.
The study reviewed existing literature on video game use in North American youth aged 2 to 18. It found that spending long periods of time gaming is linked to higher risks of depression symptoms, behavioral disorders, and suicidal ideation. Key insights include:
- High school students who played for more than two hours per day were more likely to experience sadness, hopelessness, and social isolation.
- Adolescents who play to relieve stress or anxiety got involved in fewer extracurricular activities, performed more poorly in school, and turned to risky behaviors more often, such as substance use and problematic internet use.
- 90 percent of teenagers play video games, averaging 11 to 13 hours a week. As youth begin gaming earlier, children older than two play video games at similar rates to teens.
While the study concludes that more research is needed to investigate the complex relationship between gaming and mental health, it urges parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to closely monitor youth screen time. Here are a few proactive steps parents and caregivers can take.
- Set screen time limits: Remind your child that gaming is a hobby and shouldn’t get in the way of their schoolwork or social lives. If needed, use built-in parental controls on your family’s devices to easily limit your child’s time.
- Research game content: Some games contain mature themes, like violence, or addictive mechanics. Check ratings and reviews to ensure they’re age-appropriate before your child plays.
- Talk about the risks of youth gambling: Many games mimic betting mechanics, like loot boxes, or feature access to social casinos and social sports betting sites, which can increase the risk of gambling disorders later in life. Educate your child about these risks early.
In addition to setting limits, creating an open dialogue can help prevent youth gambling before it starts. Change the Game Ohio offers discussion guides for parents to start the conversation and a quiz to gauge your child’s risk level.