8 – When should you be concerned about gaming?

As already discussed, there are many positive aspects to gaming for young people. However, gaming can also be unhealthy and quite detrimental. Below we explore in depth some of the warning signs and behaviours that may be a cause of concern when it comes to gaming.

Excessive screen time for children 

When children are given long periods of screen time, a strong positive connection is formed and dependence for serotonin harvested through the constant stimulation of screens. Australian National guidelines have been implemented to reduce this dependence on technology, these guidelines recommend: 

• No screen time for children younger than two years 
• No more than one hour per day for children aged 2-5 years 
• No more than two hours of recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5-17

Most Australian children spend more time on screens than these guidelines recommend, where primary research found that only 17-23% of preschoolers and 15% of 5- 12-year-olds meet screen time guidelines. 

This research suggests excessive screen time within children younger than five negatively impacts: 

• Weight 
• Social and psychological wellbeing 
• Motor and cognitive development 

How can parents support children with cutting screen time?

• Limiting parental screen time (setting a good example) – strong links between children and parental screen time have been found
• Co-participate – children and parents undertake screen time together, this helps moderate the content the child is absorbing, have shared interests and prompt conversation. 
• Setting time and content rules around screen time 
• Balance activities – incorporating physical and mental activities which promote wellbeing
• Encourage children to self-regulate screen time – allows children to understand and recognise the consequences of excessive screen time while involving them in decision making.   

Change in behaviours / addiction

Addiction and negative behavioural issues start to get more noticeable the more the child starts to become attached to the screen.  More hours of screen time are associated with lower wellbeing in ages 2-17. Higher screen time users have also shown less curiosity, self-control and emotional stability. Moreover, in comparison to low screen time users, twice as many high screentime users are more likely to be screened for depression and/or anxiety. Additionally, the number of hours spent also correlates to the risk of screen addiction as the stimuli produced by screens activates the dopamine reward response making the child want more screen time. This constant feedback loop of dopamine to your brain is the spark of addiction which in turn could be the cause of negative behavioural changes.  

Changes to sleep schedule 

Changing to an unhealthy sleep schedule can have significant consequences for both individual gamers and gaming culture as a whole. With the rise of competitive gaming, live-streaming, and social media engagement, irregular sleep patterns have become increasingly common in the gaming community. Gamers often sacrifice sleep to maximise gameplay, participate in late-night sessions, or catch up on gaming activities.

Furthermore, an unhealthy sleep schedule can influence the broader gaming culture. As many gamers operate on a “grind” mentality — constantly pushing for more in-game achievements or higher rankings — a culture of sleep deprivation can be normalised. This encourages young gamers to adopt similarly unhealthy habits, perpetuating a cycle of exhaustion, burnout, and poor well-being.

Ultimately, an unhealthy sleep schedule is detrimental not only to the individual but also to the gaming community. As awareness of mental health in gaming grows, it’s crucial for players to prioritise sleep and for the culture to shift towards a more balanced and sustainable approach.

Increased/decreased sensitivity

When interacting within games it is found that people are more likely to engage in hate speech and bullying, due to an effect called Online Disinhibition Effect. This refers to the decrease in sensitivity when communicating in games as opposed to communicating in real life, which has been well researched and can be linked to the sense of privacy games offer. The online disinhibition phenomenon has two types of effects: increased motivation to share personal details, hidden emotions, fears and wishes as they feel they are more accepted or better able to express themselves; or an increased tendency to resort to rude language, anger and threats as a result of high emotions and perceived anonymity.

Outside the virtual world 

Habitual exposure to violence in the virtual world has also been found to sometimes cause desensitisation to violence in the real world, which can also lead to increased aggression, changes in emotion regulation processes and a decrease in prosocial behaviour. However, this was not observed in short term exposure to violence in video games. To reduce the desensitisation to violence outside the virtual world, it is important for parents to encourage non-violent problem solving and empathetic behaviour from a young age, as well as ensuring their children spend a healthy amount of time interacting with the real world. 

When parents notice a negative change in behaviour associated with gaming, they should communicate with their child and find ways to address their concerns, rather than blaming them or creating a ban without any explanation. It is important to explain that taking a break and engaging with the real world will help them regulate their emotions and behaviour and will allow them to build healthy relationships with gaming. 

Too much spending/ finances

Excessive spending in gaming among younger adults and children has raised significant concerns particularly due to the prevalence of microtransactions and in-game purchases. Games often employ psychological tactics, such as the “entrapment effect,” to encourage prolonged play and spending, leading to potential financial strain and the development of poor financial habits, not dissimilar to gambling. 

Moreover, the use of in-game currencies can obscure the real-world cost of purchases, making it challenging for young players to track their spending and understand the value of money. This environment fosters impulsive buying behaviours and can result in unauthorised charges, impacting both the financial well-being of young players and their families. 

The ethical implications of targeting vulnerable demographics with such monetisation strategies have prompted calls for stricter regulations and increased parental oversight. Educating young players about financial literacy and implementing spending limits are crucial steps toward mitigating these issues. By fostering awareness and responsible gaming habits, it is possible to protect younger audiences from the potential harms associated with excessive in-game spending. It’s important to:

• Educate children about the importance of financial literacy and being conscious of spending. This helps encourage healthier spending habits.
• Implement rules around spending (permissions + budgets) – this helps children understand the value of money
• Oversee your child’s spending – this ensures there are no unauthorised charges or overspending