Effects of Gaming and Screen Time on Children’s Mental Health 

With the rise of gaming and screen time among children, understanding the effects of these activities on their mental well-being is crucial. This Children’s Mental Health Week (9th-15th February), Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete looks at how gaming can affect your child’s sleep, academic performance, and social connections.

The effects of online gaming addiction include health issues, social, and emotional challenges disrupting daily life, relationships, and well-being. To prevent this, Tim is urging parents to set clear boundaries, encourage balanced activities, monitor gaming habits, educate children about the risks, create a structured routine and foster healthy, ‘in real life’ social connections.

Why is Online Gaming So Addictive?

Tim comments: “Online gaming is so addictive due to the constant stimulation it provides. Gaming addiction, or online gaming disorder, is characterised by excessive engagement in gaming, leading to neglect of daily responsibilities and relationships. The brain releases dopamine during gaming, which reinforces the behavior and creates a sense of pleasure, encouraging players to continue. Reward systems (leveling up and virtual achievements) trigger dopamine surges, fostering a cycle of compulsion. Psychological theories suggest that players may use gaming as an escape from real-life stressors or seek validation through in-game accomplishments. Feelings of control and progress in a virtual environment, also contribute to the gaming addiction cycle”.

What are the Causes of Online Gaming Addiction?

• Dopamine release: The brain rewards players with dopamine during gaming, reinforcing the desire to keep playing.
• Escaping reality: Games offer an escape from real-life problems or stress, making them a coping mechanism.
• Social connection: Online multiplayer games create a sense of belonging, drawing players into continuous engagement.
• Reward systems: Achievements, level-ups, and virtual rewards provide a sense of accomplishment, encouraging more play.
• Competition: Constant competition for rankings or status drives players to stay invested in gaming.
• Routine formation: Habitual gaming becomes ingrained as part of daily life, making it harder to stop.

The brain’s reward system is influenced by the release of dopamine during gaming, which reinforces the behavior and encourages engagement on a biological level. Environmental factors (stress, social isolation, or a lack of fulfilling offline activities) push players toward gaming as a form of escape or coping mechanism. Social dynamics, such as peer pressure or the desire for validation through online gaming achievements, contribute to the addiction. Various factors (social dynamics, environment, and routine) combined together, create a cycle that is hard to break without addressing the underlying biological impulses and environmental triggers.

Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction

• Preoccupation with gaming: Thinking about gaming and planning the next session, even when not playing.
• Increased time spent gaming: Spending more time on games than planned, leading to neglect of other activities.
• Neglect of responsibilities: Failing to meet personal or academic obligations due to excessive gaming.
• Loss of interest in other activities: Losing interest in hobbies, sports, or social interactions that were previously enjoyed.
• Mood swings: Feeling irritable, anxious, or upset when unable to play games or when gaming is interrupted.
• Deceptive behavior: Lying to others about the amount of time spent gaming or the nature of gaming activities.
• Escaping real-life problems: Using gaming as a way to avoid emotional issues or difficult situations.
• Tolerance: Needing to play for longer periods or engage in more intense gaming to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
• Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing restlessness, irritability, or depression when not gaming.

Seven Steps for Concerned Parents

1. Track gaming time. Monitor how much time is spent playing games daily. Longer time spent may indicate an addiction. Consider if gaming consistently takes up more time than planned.
2. Assess personal neglect. Evaluate whether responsibilities (school or relationships) are being ignored in favor of gaming. A pattern of neglecting these commitments may point to addictive behavior.
3. Notice physical symptoms. Pay attention to signs (eye strain, sleep deprivation, or poor posture). The physical issues that arise from excessive gaming may signal addiction.
4. Observe emotional dependence. Observe how your child feels when not playing. Is there a strong emotional attachment, and if anxiety, irritability, or depression occur when they are unable to game.
5. Evaluate mood changes. Check if gaming affects their mood. Feeling a sense of frustration or anger when interrupted while gaming is common in addiction.
6. Consider social isolation. Are social interactions with family and friends being replaced by online gaming. Isolation is a common sign of addiction.
7. Reflect on compulsive gaming. Are they playing, even when there is no desire to play or playing despite negative consequences? This kind of obsessive behavior signals potential addiction.

Top 10 Gaming Effects – What Screen Time Really Does To Children’s Mental Health

1. Sleep Deprivation and Irregular Sleep Patterns

Too much time online can severely disrupt sleep patterns. If gamers stay up late, neglecting sleep to continue gaming, the resulting sleep deprivation may affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function, decrease attention span, and cause difficulty processing information. Chronic sleep deprivation eventually affects emotional regulation, leading to mood swings, irritability, and increased stress. This may worsen other issues (cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and mental health decline), creating a cycle where poor sleep contributes to continued gameplay, worsening the mental and physical health of the individual.

2. Decline in Academic Performance

Gamers often prioritise gaming over responsibilities. Lack of sleep, combined with excessive time spent on gaming, leads to decreased concentration, reduced productivity, and difficulty completing tasks. As time management skills deteriorate, and deadlines are missed, gaming can become the primary focus. The inevitable result is poor performance at school, negatively affecting grades. A cycle of procrastination develops where gaming provides temporary relief, as the long-term consequences worsen academic performance.

3. Social Withdrawal and Isolation

Spending too much time online may lead to social withdrawal and isolation as a player spends more and more time immersed in gaming. Addicted players will avoid face-to-face interactions with family and friends, preferring to engage with online gaming communities. There is a risk that children will become more disconnected from the real world as time spent gaming increases, neglecting social events and activities. The lack of social engagement exacerbates feelings of loneliness, making it harder to rebuild meaningful relationships. Social withdrawal deepens over time, as it reinforces the cycle of isolation and addiction.

4. Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Lifestyle

Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle becomes the norm, as players spend extended hours seated and engaged in gaming. We all know that a lack of physical movement results in poor cardiovascular health, weight gain, and weakened muscles. Prolonged sitting limits exercise and contributes to decreased energy levels. The risk of developing chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, and joint problems) increases significantly with little to no physical activity. These issues may worsen over time, leading to severe health complications.

5. Eye Strain, Headaches, and Vision Problems

Extended periods of gaming or screen time lead to eye strain, headaches, and vision problems. Staring at a screen for hours without breaks causes the eyes to become fatigued, leading to discomfort, dry eyes, and blurred vision. The blue light emitted from screens contributes to digital eye strain, resulting in headaches and difficulty focusing. Prolonged exposure without proper eye care or breaks worsens symptoms and increases the risk of long-term vision issues.

6. Increased Irritability, Anxiety, and Mood Swings

The compulsive nature of gaming forces players to prioritize this over other aspects of their lives, causing stress when they are unable to play. A lack of social interactions in the real world also contributes to frustration and emotional instability. Prolonged gaming sessions without breaks hinder emotional regulation, leading to mood fluctuations. Anxiety levels rise as the individual becomes more disconnected from reality and develops obsessive thoughts about gaming progress or outcomes. The added emotional distress negatively affects relationships and daily functioning, leading to significant psychological strain.

7. Neglect of Personal Responsibilities and Hygiene

An excessive amount of time gaming can, in some cases, mean that players neglect personal responsibilities and hygiene. Prioritizing gaming over daily tasks (eating, cleaning, or maintaining relationships) mean that overall well-being deteriorates. Responsibilities (school or chores) may be avoided as spare time is consumed by gaming. The longer this persists, the more difficult it becomes to regain control of these activities and responsibilities.

8. Poor Posture, Back Pain, and Repetitive Strain Injuries

Poor posture, back pain, and repetitive strain injuries can be the result of prolonged periods of sitting without proper ergonomics. Extended time slouching or hunching over, places strain on the spine, muscles, and joints resulting in back pain, neck stiffness, and muscle fatigue. The repetitive motion of using a controller, keyboard, or mouse for hours at a time leads to strain on the wrists, fingers, and shoulders, causing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. These physical issues may worsen without proper breaks or corrective measures.

9. Depression and Emotional Dependence on Gaming

Game addiction leads to depression and emotional dependence on gaming, as individuals increasingly rely on virtual environments to cope with real-life issues. The constant need to escape emotional stress or personal problems creates a cycle where players experience intense emotional lows when they are not gaming. This increased dependency prevents gamers from finding joy or fulfillment in other activities, making it harder to form meaningful connections outside of the gaming world. The lack of balance between gaming and real-life interactions can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

10. Loss of Interest in Real-Life Activities and Relationships

The more time spent gaming, the less energy or motivation remains for engaging in hobbies, physical activities, or maintaining relationships. Social events, family gatherings, and friendships become secondary to gaming, leading to emotional distance and weakened bonds. The gamer may become more immersed in the virtual world, alienating themselves from reality. This kind of social withdrawal results in deteriorating relationships, isolation, and a lack of fulfillment outside of the gaming experience.

Which Online Games are Considered the Most Addictive?

1. Fortnite: Fortnite is known for its battle royale mode, which combines fast-paced action with frequent updates and in-game events that maintain player interest.
2. League of Legends: The multiplayer online battle arena game promotes intense competition, team strategy, and progression through ranks, encouraging long gaming sessions.
3. World of Warcraft: A massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) that offers an expansive world with continuous quests, social interactions, and character levelling, creating a strong incentive for players to keep playing.
4. Call of Duty: Warzone: The free-to-play battle royale game features fast-paced action, multiplayer modes, and regular updates, keeping players engaged for extended periods.
5. Minecraft: The open-world sandbox game allows for endless creativity and exploration, making it difficult for players to stop once they get immersed in building and survival modes.
6. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG): The battle royale game emphasizes strategic gameplay and team cooperation, making players return for more matches to improve their skills and achieve better rankings, which contributes to the addictive nature of games like Fortnite.

When Professional Help Is Needed

If gaming is affecting your child’s mood, health, relationships, or sense of control, it may be time to seek support. You do not need to wait for a crisis before reaching out. Early intervention is always easier than recovery from entrenched dependence.

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The Edge, a facility designed exclusively for teens and young men aged 18-28, combines evidence-based therapy, physical challenge, and adventure in a safe, supportive environment.

For more information about The Edge Crete please click here.