Getting Help for Teen Gaming Addiction
For most teens, gaming can be a healthy activity encouraging connection, cognitive skills, creativity and teamwork. However, for a small percentage of young people, gaming can evolve into a compulsive behaviour that significantly disrupts quality of life and mental health.
In this week’s session, we were joined by Dr. Rebecca Lockwood, a consultant Clinical Psychologist from the National Centre for Gaming Disorders to talk about the challenging side of gaming and to offer some insight and advice for families concerned about potential gaming-related issues with their teens.
Rebecca talked about the intentional design of games to activate the brain's pleasure centre through dopamine rewards, while emphasising the potential for significant come downs when teenagers finish their gaming sessions. Rebecca pointed out some of the key warning signs, including increased aggression, avoidance of responsibilities like schoolwork, and disregard for personal hygiene - all of which could indicate a shift of control where gaming is prioritised over all other activities. Over time, not only can these behaviours impact the quality of life and mental health of a young person, but it can create tension and conflict within the whole family.
“Think about being curious, whether it’s about the game that the young person’s playing, whether it’s about what’s going on for them in life in general. And with curiosity, I think you can then be open to communication.”
Strategies for parents
Rebecca shared some advice on how to help teenagers develop healthier gaming habits:
Be Curious: Engage in open conversations about the games your child plays and what’s going on in their life. Understand the appeal and what they gain from gaming.
Set Boundaries Collaboratively: Work with your child to establish limits around gaming, such as tech-free times during meals or setting a Wi-Fi schedule.
Encourage Other Activities: Introduce and participate in family activities that don't involve gaming to help your child find balance.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward your teen for making healthy choices and reducing gaming time.
Seek professional help: For those who need more support, the National Centre for Gaming Disorders offers treatment for individuals aged 13 and over. Find out more here.
Communicate with school: Schools can refer students to services like the National Centre for Gaming Disorders and work collaboratively with professionals to understand and address the issue.
Gaming addiction is a complex issue, but Rebecca emphasised that through open communication, setting collaborative boundaries and seeking professional help when necessary, parents and carers can support their children in developing a healthier relationship with gaming.
To watch the full session, log in to the hub or register HERE.
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We’ll be back next week with Dr Russell Woodhead to talk about Helping a Teen Who Self-Harms.