Playing video games is a popular activity for children as it can help them bond with their friends and be something at which they are more skilled than their parents or caregivers.
However, caregivers might find it challenging to get children to stop playing to eat dinner or go to sleep and worry that playing games is becoming an addiction.
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The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of resources on how to tell when a child obsessed with video games might have what is known as internet gaming disorder or how gaming can exacerbate mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Children with ADHD might have a difficult time stopping because they tend to hyperfocus on things they enjoy. Those with autism or social anxiety can retreat into video games, where they feel good about their abilities and avoid in-person interactions, with which they might struggle.
The institute’s resources include tips on how to set healthy limits on gaming and broader media guidelines for children at each age and stage. For young adults who are struggling to become independent, the resources explore how problematic gaming can contribute to the failure to launch.
The resources include: