Sections in this Guide
by Kristelle Lavallee Collins and Jill R. Kavanaugh
Video games are a popular form of entertainment for youth, from toddlers to young adults. According to several recent studies about young children and tweens and teens, young people spend the following amount of time gaming in a typical day:
- Toddlers (under the age of 2) spend minimal time playing any type of computer, console, or mobile games.
- Preschoolers (ages 2 to 4) spend 5 minutes per day playing computer or console games, and 10 minutes playing mobile games.
- Young children (ages 5 to 8) spend 19 minutes per day playing computer or console games, and 21 minutes playing mobile games.
- Tweens (ages 8 to 12) spend 55 minutes per day playing computer or console games, and 34 minutes playing mobile games.
- Teens ages thirteen to eighteen spend 69 minutes per day playing computer or console games, and 27 minutes playing mobile games.
Remember, the above reflects how much time the average child and teen plays video games–not how much time they should be spending gaming. When thinking about your own child’s gaming it is important to consider where they are in their development, what types of game(s) they are playing, and what other activities fill their day.
In determining how much time your child can healthfully spend playing video games, it can be helpful to think of your child’s 24-hour day. Sketch out the hours they will spend sleeping, eating (including having one device-free family meal), at school, doing homework, being outside, being physically active, and spending time with friends and family. Once both you and your child know what time they have that is free, you can help them plan how much of their free time they’d like to spend playing video games.
There are many different ways to play video games, including:
- Console gaming, such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, or Nintendo Switch
- Handheld video gaming, such as the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo Switch Lite
- Computer gaming, played on a desktop computer or laptop, either as a downloaded game, in a web browser, or through a service like Steam
- Mobile gaming, such as those played on a smartphone or tablet via an app
- Virtual Reality (VR) gaming, including the HTC Vive and Meta/Oculus headsets
- Augmented Reality (AR) gaming, which can be played on a variety of devices
Regardless of the platform, many games have an online component, in which the game is played either partially or entirely online against other players. There are a vast number of different types of video game genres (and many games fit into several categories), but a few popular genres include:
- First-person shooters (Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty)
- Battle royale games (Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends)
- Role-playing games (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Path of Exile)
- Multiplayer online battle arena (Dota 2, League of Legends: Wild Rift)
- Action-adventure (Grand Theft Auto V)
- Social simulation games (Animal Crossing, The Sims)
Statistics show that video games are popular, but why do kids enjoy these games so much? Motivations behind video gaming vary depending on the child or teen, but research shows that video games allow youth to escape their problems, to try on different personalities, to socialize, and to engage in challenging and reward-based experiences.
Many gamers broadcast their gameplay to a public audience (known as livestreaming) using online services like YouTube or Twitch, and many children and teens (and adults) watch these gamers.
Why does my kid want to watch other people play video games?
Children and teens want to watch others play video games for a variety of reasons, including:
- Social: They can interact with others, and in some cases strengthen their relationships with friends and family members who are also watching or livestreaming themselves. Livestreams can also provide a sense of community as viewers feel as though they are part of a gaming experience. In addition, they might watch because of the attractiveness or popularity of specific streamers or the interest in particular games or genres.
- Learning: They are able to learn new skills, tips, moves, and other information from watching others’ gameplay. Viewers are also able to follow their favorite gaming or esports tournaments and stay-up-to-date with the latest gaming news.
- Entertainment: They enjoy the experience of watching others livestream in a way that is similar to watching live streams on social media.
- Escape: They use watching livestreams as a way to release tension and (temporarily) escape from problems.
Something to consider is that livestreaming is just that–a live event, so your child may be exposed to inappropriate content such as inappropriate language, sexualized content, or violence. While not common, teens who livestream also run the risk of being a target of cyberbullying, stalking, or swatting, putting your entire family at risk.
Physical health
- Sleep: Video gaming before bed can contribute to a variety of sleep problems, including poor quality sleep and not enough sleep.
- Obesity: Research looking into the relationship between playing video games and weight gain as well as obesity has found mixed results. There is evidence that advergames can promote unhealthy eating habits, video game playing can contribute to increased calorie consumption, and younger children who play video games may have a higher BMI in their teens.
- Physical activity: Exergames are a type of video game that require players to interact physically with the game. Exergames are available in virtual reality, mobile, computer, and console formats. Exergaming can be an enjoyable way to encourage physical activity, reduce obesity, and improve balance, agility, and speed.
- Motor skills: Playing video games can help improve motor functioning, including spatial skills, such as knowing where objects are in relation to others, and motor skills, such as those needed for driving.
Social health
- Prosocial behaviors: Children can learn prosocial behaviors, such as helping, sharing, and cooperating, by playing video games that include social activity (for example, interacting with video game characters as opposed to a puzzle game). Youth can also increase their ability to cooperate, share, and maintain positive relationships with others outside of gaming.
- Connection and community: Players who engage in multiplayer online video games experience lower loneliness and social anxiety, as these games encourage social interaction often in the form of cooperation and/or competition.
Mental health
- Anxiety: Children and teens who struggle with Problematic Interactive Media Use in the form of video game playing may be more likely to develop anxiety. On the other hand, research also shows that video games may help reduce anxiety in youth.
- Depression: Youth who already experience depressive symptoms have a higher chance of developing Internet Gaming Disorder, while some video game playing has the potential to alleviate depression and anxiety.
- Gambling behaviors: Some video games offer loot boxes, which are virtual, in-game items that players can purchase with real-world money without knowing what the box contains. These virtual items could help a player level-up or change the look of their avatar. Many adolescents play games that offer loot boxes, and mobile games aimed at younger children often have loot boxes as well. Adolescents buy loot boxes for various reasons, including increasing their competitive edge in video games, gaining specific items or characters, enjoying opening the boxes, changing the appearance of their avatar, believing that loot boxes are of high value, and earning money. Adolescents who spend money on loot boxes are more likely to experience gambling problems.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Adolescents can experience more intense symptoms of ADHD when playing video games, and children who have ADHD may be more likely to develop Problematic Interactive Media Use. Specialized video games used by clinicians can also help assess and treat ADHD.
The idea of video game “addiction” has also become popular recently, with both the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association identifying “gaming disorder” as a behavioral health concern. If you are concerned that your child or teen may be struggling with their sleep, grades, or other health-related issues as a result of their gaming, see our Problematic Interactive Media Use resource for more information, or visit our Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders.
- Set up boundaries. It is easy to become involved in a game and play for hours at a time, but children benefit from a variety of activities. Agree on a certain amount of time to play games and suggest other activities they might enjoy.
- Do your homework. Remember, the content of what your kids play is just as important as the amount of time they spend playing. When your children ask you for a new game, do your homework before you agree to purchase it. Learn about the game’s ESRB rating, read reviews, and even play the game first before you allow your kids to play. If the game isn’t appropriate for their age or doesn’t match your value system, find an alternative game.
- Keep video game systems out of your children’s bedrooms. By keeping gaming systems (including mobile devices) in family areas, you can see how, and how often, they are being used. You can also more easily keep track of time limits. Studies show that children with electronic media in their bedrooms are more likely to be overweight and have sleep problems.
- Review and monitor interactive and online features. Many games can be livestreamed and/or are multiplayer in nature, allowing your child to chat or share content with other players who they may not know in real life. Be sure to set up these accounts with your kids and let them know that you have their passwords should they ever need help. Discuss the importance of acting respectfully and maintaining privacy in these online environments with your teen, and consider disabling these features entirely for younger children.
- Make it a social event. Video games are fun and challenging for adults too! Parents can spend time with their youth by having a family gaming night (just make sure that the games are appropriate for everyone involved).
- Discuss in-game purchases ahead of time. Help your child or teen understand that in-game purchases are costly, and set limits on whether they can or cannot make these types of purchases. Parents can also consider restricting or disabling these features.