Understanding Problematic Gaming and Internet Use: A Lifespan Perspective
In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere. Gaming and internet use are common across all age groups, but when does regular use turn into a problem? Many individuals and families struggle with excessive screen time, leading to conflicts, distress, and mental health concerns.
If you or a loved one feel like gaming is taking over your life, know that help is available. Therapists specializing in problematic gaming can assess whether your gaming habits are interfering with daily life and provide strategies to regain control.
What Brings People to Therapy for Gaming and Internet Use?
Individuals struggling with excessive gaming often ask:
How can I stop doomscrolling?
Am I addicted to gaming? Should I quit altogether?
Parents may worry about their child’s screen habits and ask:
How do I know if my child is addicted?
My child plays several hours daily—should I be concerned?
Therapists help by assessing whether gaming is problematic, identifying underlying mental health concerns, and developing treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs.
Recognizing Problematic Gaming at Different Ages
Childhood: When Screen Time Becomes a Daily Battle
Many parents describe feeling powerless when their young child refuses to put down a tablet or game. Some children throw tantrums, demand screens at all times, or ignore responsibilities like meals and bedtime. These behaviors can leave parents feeling frustrated and unsure of how to set limits.
If your child’s gaming habits cause frequent conflict at home, a therapist may explore what function gaming serves for them. Are they using it to cope with stress? Is it linked to an underlying issue, such as ADHD or anxiety? Therapy often involves parent guidance, where a clinician helps you set consistent limits and create a structured routine. Family-based strategies can also help improve communication and reduce power struggles.
💡 Resource: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Family Media Plan helps parents create a customized screen-time plan that works for their household. It includes guidelines for when and where screens can be used, as well as how to ensure quality content. Check it out here.
Adolescence: When Gaming Feels More Important Than Everything Else
Teenagers often feel deeply connected to their gaming communities. Some develop strong online friendships, build followings on Twitch or YouTube, and take pride in their gaming skills. However, when gaming leads to sleep deprivation, skipping school, or withdrawing from real-life relationships, it may be time to seek support.
If gaming feels like the most important thing in your teen’s life, a therapist may help them explore their relationship with gaming. Therapy can address whether gaming is a way to avoid stress, sadness, or social challenges. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often used to help teens recognize unhelpful thought patterns, such as “gaming is the only thing I’m good at.” Therapists may also work with families to establish healthy screen-time boundaries while respecting a teen’s need for independence.
💡 Resource: Common Sense Media offers research-backed advice for parents on setting screen time limits and guiding teens toward balanced tech use. Learn more here.
Adulthood: When Gaming Becomes an Escape from Real Life
For some adults, gaming starts as a hobby but gradually takes over their free time. It can feel like a refuge from loneliness, work stress, or depression. However, when gaming leads to isolation, sleep problems, or feelings of regret after playing, it might be a sign of a deeper issue.
If you feel like gaming is your only source of enjoyment, a therapist can help you regain balance. Therapy might involve exploring the emotional reasons behind excessive gaming—are you using it to avoid difficult feelings? Are you struggling with depression or social anxiety? Therapists often use a combination of Motivational Interviewing and CBT to help you set goals, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and develop new hobbies or social connections outside of gaming.
The Connection Between Gaming and Mental Health
Many people who struggle with problematic gaming also experience depression, anxiety, or ADHD. Research shows that about 1 in 3 people with significant gaming symptoms also have depression. Gaming often provides temporary relief from negative emotions, but over time, it can lead to Less engagement in real-world activities, increased social isolation, and feelings of guilt and regret.
If gaming feels like a way to escape from emotions, therapy can help you develop healthier coping strategies. By addressing both gaming habits and underlying mental health concerns, many people find they can enjoy gaming in moderation without it taking over their lives.
What Can Therapy Look Like?
If you or your child struggle with excessive gaming, a therapist can:
✔️ Assess whether gaming is a problem or a symptom of something else
✔️ Help you or your child set goals for reducing screen time
✔️ Provide strategies to improve real-life relationships and activities
✔️ Address any underlying conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD
✔️ Work with families to create healthy screen-time boundaries
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to gaming-related concerns. Therapy is tailored to your unique situation, whether that means setting limits, exploring emotional connections to gaming, or developing new ways to find joy outside of screens.
Practical Steps for Families and Individuals
✔️ Create a Family Media Plan to establish clear guidelines for screen time and device use.
✔️ Monitor content quality rather than just screen time—engagement with positive media is different from mindless scrolling.
✔️ Encourage real-world social activities alongside online gaming to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
✔️ Recognize the signs of problematic gaming, such as declining school or work performance, loss of interest in other activities, and emotional distress when screens are removed.
✔️ Seek professional help if gaming feels uncontrollable or is interfering with daily life.
Final Thoughts: Finding Balance with Technology
Gaming and internet use are not inherently bad, but when they interfere with your mental health, relationships, or daily life, seeking support can help. Therapists specializing in problematic gaming can work with individuals and families to create a balanced, healthy approach to screen time.
If you’re struggling with gaming habits or worried about a loved one, reaching out for help can be the first step toward change. With the right support, you can find ways to enjoy technology while maintaining control over your life.
References
King & Delfabbro (2018): Internet Gaming Disorder: Theory, Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention
Jeong et al. (2019): The link between depression and Internet Gaming Disorder
Beard, C. (2023, September). Treating clients with problematic gaming and Internet use: A lifespan perspective. [Conference presentation]. California Psychological Association 2023 Convention, San Diego, CA, United States.