Should I be worried about how much my child or teen is gaming?
School-aged children and youth
It’s natural and healthy for children and teens to get caught up in favourite pastimes, including video games. If your child or teen is playing games that are age-appropriate and preferably with known friends or family (not interacting online with strangers), you generally don’t need to be concerned.
However, it’s important to stay engaged with your child’s media use and be alert to any concerning signs. If you notice worrisome behavioural changes such as the ones described below, be sure to set limits, use positive guidance, and consider reaching out to your child’s health care provider for support as needed.
Signs to watch for
- Obsessing about gaming and becoming upset when the opportunity to game is taken away;
- Wanting to game as often as possible and is unable to set or follow limits;
- Loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy;
- Misrepresenting the amount of time they spend gaming;
- Playing video games to put themselves in a better mood.