Gaming

Gaming is central to teen life, with 85% of teens playing video games and 40% playing daily. Teens play diverse games, often with peers (89%), fostering social connection. While concerns exist, there’s no evidence linking gaming to violence in mentally healthy teens, and it can provide benefits like stress relief and creativity.

Guidance

No Devices in the Bedroom

Gaming should never interfere with sleep.
Keep gaming devices, including consoles, out of bedrooms.
Store devices in a common area such as the living room or established gaming room where you can easily monitor time spent and activity.

Set Time Limits

Limit gaming to 20-30 minutes per session; exceeding this can result in losing the next session.
Use phone settings to enforce limits.
Allow gaming before meals to make stopping easier.

Establish Clear Guidelines

Avoid gaming before bed to protect sleep.
Balance gaming after school with homework and chores.
Opt for shorter, more frequent gaming sessions rather than long stretches of playing.

Other Considerations

Younger kids may struggle to stop gaming due to brain development and need extra support.
Decide on rules for gaming with strangers; younger kids should generally avoid this.
- If allowed, consider requiring your child to mute or avoid using a headset to limit interactions.
Older teens may be ready for more freedom in gaming spaces with appropriate caution.
Be mindful of gaming-related forums (e.g., Reddit, 4chan, YouTube), which can expose kids to harmful content or hate speech.
- Monitor your child’s activity in these spaces, as they often post greater risks than the games themselves.

Conversation Starters

Ask your child what games they play and why they enjoy them to better understand their interests and needs.
Recognize that gaming is meaningful to many kids and may provide more than entertainment, such as stress relief or connection.
Spend a few minutes watching your child play — or better yet, play with them — to build connection and learn about their gaming world.
Talk about in-game communication, including how players speak to each other, and discuss issues like bullying or inappropriate behavior.
Ask if your child has ever felt uncomfortable while gaming and give them a plan for how to respond (e.g., excusing themselves politely).
Share your concerns about gaming behaviors and ask for their input; they may agree with some of your worries and offer valuable insights.

View How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media