The prevalence of video gaming among teenagers, along with video game addiction, is on the rise. Approximately three-quarters of children and adolescents engage in video gaming. A study conducted by Common Sense Media reveals that teens typically spend almost two hours each day playing video games. The majority of gamers are boys, who average about 2 hours and 19 minutes of gaming daily.
Consequently, an increasing number of teenagers are facing issues related to video game addiction, clinically referred to as internet gaming disorder. Boys are nearly twice as likely as girls to develop a gaming addiction. When parents express concerns with statements like, “My son is addicted to video games,” they might be confronting an authentic mental health issue.
Defining Teenage Video Game Addiction
Teenage video game addiction operates similarly to other behavioral or process addictions. Gaming addiction ranks among the most prevalent behavioral addictions, which also encompasses activities such as shopping, social media usage, or excessive exercising. Essentially, individuals with process addictions experience effects on the brain akin to those associated with alcohol or drug use.
Gaming addiction and other types of process addictions stimulate the brain’s reward system. This prompts the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical, which in turn fosters cravings for the behavior and creates an overwhelming compulsion to engage in it. Thus, children who are addicted to video games experience an uncontrollable desire to keep playing.
The Three Criteria for Gaming Disorder
In 2018, the World Health Organization acknowledged the seriousness of teenager video game addiction by designating gaming disorder as a recognizable mental health condition. As a result, this disorder is now included in the 11th edition of WHO’s International Classification of Diseases Manual. The WHO identifies three primary criteria necessary for diagnosing gaming disorder:
1. Inability to control the impulse to play video games
2. The belief that gaming holds greater importance than any other activity
3. Persisting in playing video games despite negative repercussions on relationships, academic performance, and/or work.
Determining If Your Teen Is Addicted to Gaming
Statistics surrounding video game addiction indicate a rising number of teens are struggling with this issue. A study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors disclosed that among 3,000 students, over 19 percent of males and 7.8 percent of females met the criteria for gaming disorder. Additionally, the rates of gaming addiction are expected to rise as the gaming industry continues to grow.
Moreover, assessing gaming disorder should include consideration of a teen’s overall mood and self-care practices. Are they displaying irritability, anxiety, or depression? Is their personal grooming declining? Are teens who play video games excessively neglecting to eat or consuming poor diets as a result? Are your children staying up late for gaming, causing them to miss sleep? Does your son spend all day gaming in his room?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to consider video game addiction treatment.
Factors Contributing to Video Game Addiction
Children are online more than ever before. Research indicates that teenagers spend over eight and a half hours online for recreational purposes. This increased interaction with digital media—including gaming, social media, web surfing, and video watching—can fuel gaming disorder.
However, the roots of video game addiction extend beyond mere time spent playing. There are deeper psychological factors that heighten a teenager’s susceptibility to gaming addiction. Studies show a correlation between teenage video game addiction and the rates of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, research has indicated that adolescents with insecure attachments to their parents are more vulnerable to internet addiction, including gaming addiction.
Consequently, teenagers often engage in excessive online gaming as a coping mechanism for life’s challenges. They resort to video games as a way to escape and alleviate distress. It’s no surprise that gaming has become a favored outlet during stressful periods, particularly for the youthful demographic due to their heightened levels of collective trauma and ongoing brain development.
Why Boys Are More Prone to Gaming Disorder
Statistics on video game addiction consistently indicate that adolescent boys are more likely than their female counterparts to develop internet gaming disorder (IGD). In one study, researchers highlighted a connection between gaming disorder and heightened maladaptive cognitions in teenage boys. Maladaptive cognitions refer to detrimental thought patterns related to self-expectations and beliefs. For instance, boys often placed an inflated value on gaming rewards and were reluctant to stop playing until specific gaming tasks had been completed.
Additional research indicates that gender differences in brain function may help explain why males face an increased risk of developing teenage video game addiction. MRI scans reveal that gaming leads to greater craving-related brain activity in males, paralleling findings in substance and gambling addictions. Scans also demonstrated that males exhibited high levels of craving-related activation in their brains.
Moreover, adolescent males are more inclined to resort to unhealthy coping strategies when facing mental health challenges. Studies indicate that males experience heightened shame related to mental health symptoms and internalize the belief that men should not exhibit weakness or vulnerability. Consequently, they are less likely to seek assistance or express their feelings. Additionally, boys generally possess lower “mental health literacy”—the capability to recognize, manage, and avert mental health issues. Video games act as a means of self-soothing their distress and tough emotions, akin to substance use.
Research on the Adverse Effects of Video Game Addiction on the Brain
Excessive gaming not only creates conditions conducive to addiction but also keeps teenagers’ nervous systems in a constant state of stress and hyperarousal. This results in the body producing higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, teenage video game addiction can gradually alter brain structure over time.
In a particular study, young adults with gaming disorder exhibited reduced volumes of gray and white matter in the brain, which are linked to poor decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Additionally, teenagers engaging in pathological gaming are at an elevated risk of developing substance use disorders, as video game addiction prepares the brain for other forms of addiction.
The chronic stress resulting from hyperarousal, combined with the physical issues brought about by the sedentary nature of gaming, leads to various negative impacts of video game addiction, including:
- Challenges in maintaining attention and impulse control
- Ineffective emotion regulation
- Reduced compassion, creativity, and motivation to learn
- Symptoms of depression, irritability, and anxiety
- Weakened immune response due to chronic stress
- Sleep deprivation, which is more prevalent with gaming compared to other online activities
- Desensitization to violence
- Increased likelihood of ADHD
- Higher levels of hostility, especially in adolescents who possess pre-existing traits such as aggression and apathy toward others—making them more vulnerable to violent media, as research indicates.
Teenagers and Video Games: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Gaming for Adolescents
Regarding teenagers and video games, studies reveal both positive effects and drawbacks—similar to the impact of social media. One investigation found that pre-teens who played video games for three or more hours daily experienced slight improvements in cognitive functioning. However, this same study revealed that these children also exhibited significantly more issues with attention, depressive symptoms, and higher ADHD scores compared to those who did not play video games.
Furthermore, a study focusing on video games and psychological well-being discovered that individuals who play games to foster social connections report experiencing more positive emotions during gameplay. Yet, there was another side to consider. Those playing games to escape from real-life problems demonstrated higher levels of mental health issues, lower self-esteem, and a more pessimistic viewpoint. The researchers concluded, “Poor psychological functioning appears to be a distinctive risk factor for potentially problematic video gaming.”
Ultimately, whether video game play is beneficial or detrimental for teenagers seems to hinge on the frequency of play and the underlying motivations. How often do teenagers engage in online gaming? What drives their interest in video games? Is it for enjoyment and connection, or is it a means to cope with difficult emotions and life challenges? If it is the latter, the likelihood of video game addiction escalates.
Video Games and Adolescent Mental Health
The most extensive study conducted on adolescents and gaming, along with the effects of video game addiction, was published in 2020. Researcher Sarah M. Coyne and her team tracked 385 teenagers over six years. They discovered that throughout this period, 10 percent of gamers displayed pathological video gaming behavior that worsened over time. Moreover, as they transitioned into young adulthood, participants in this group exhibited escalated levels of depression, anxiety, aggression, and problematic mobile phone usage.
Reinforcing earlier findings, the majority of young individuals in this group were male. Additionally, they demonstrated lower levels of prosocial behaviors—actions intended to benefit others. Generally, male adolescents who spend excessive time gaming face more significant social consequences, while females are more likely to experience negative emotional states.
How Parents Can Help Prevent Teenage Video Game Addiction
How can you assist your teenager who has issues with excessive video game play? While limiting gaming time appears to be a clear solution for tackling a child’s video game addiction and avoiding teen gaming disorder, studies indicate that imposing strict gaming rules can often be counterproductive and may deprive kids of autonomy in making their own choices.
Thus, it is more beneficial for families to collaboratively create a contract that teenagers are willing to adhere to. Additionally, since research shows that boys are more likely to engage in reward-seeking activities in relation to strategic and action-oriented games, steering them towards games that emphasize exploration, social interaction, and problem-solving may help diminish the chances of developing a gaming disorder.
Moreover, for parents looking for strategies to help their child overcome video game addiction, altering their own habits can be a good starting point. Adults can demonstrate healthy device use by regularly stepping away from technology, including video games.
Addressing the Underlying Causes of Teen Gaming Disorder
Nevertheless, the most effective approach to preventing teenage video game addiction is to tackle the underlying factors that render teens susceptible to gaming disorder. Consequently, parents can assist their teenagers in developing positive coping strategies such as engaging in physical activities, spending time in nature, practicing yoga, meditating, and exploring creative outlets.
Furthermore, maintaining open lines of communication is vital so that teens feel encouraged to express their emotions and experiences. This is especially crucial for boys, who typically find it harder to openly discuss their emotional challenges compared to girls.
If a teenager’s behavior suggests a gaming disorder or another mental health issue, professional treatment may be necessary to effectively address the problem. In such situations, parents should seek help from a mental health expert to assist their teens in uncovering the underlying issues that are contributing to their video gaming challenges.