With the rise of gaming and screen time among children, understanding the effects of these activities on their mental well-being is crucial. This Children’s Mental Health Week (9th-15th February), here Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete looks at how gaming can affect your child’s sleep, academic performance, and social connections. The effects of online gaming addiction include health issues, social, and emotional challenges disrupting daily life, relationships, and well-being. To prevent this, Lee is encouraging parents to set clear boundaries, encourage balanced activities, monitor gaming habits, educate children about the risks, create a structured routine and foster healthy in real life social connections.
Top 10 Gaming Effects - What Screen Time Really Does To Children’s Mental Health
1. Sleep Deprivation and Irregular Sleep Patterns
Too much time online can lead to severe disruptions in sleep patterns. Addicted gamers stay up late, neglecting sleep to continue gaming, which causes significant sleep deprivation. Irregular sleep affects the body's natural circadian rhythm and leads to irregular sleep cycles over time. Lack of sleep results in impaired cognitive function, decreased attention span, and difficulty processing information. Chronic sleep deprivation can affect emotional regulation, leading to mood swings, irritability, and increased stress. This can worsen other issues (cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and mental health decline), creating a cycle where poor sleep contributes to continued gameplay, worsening the mental and physical health of the individual.
2. Decline in Academic Performance
The gamer prioritizes gaming over responsibilities. Lack of sleep, combined with excessive time spent on gaming, leads to decreased concentration, reduced productivity, and difficulty completing tasks. Time management skills deteriorate, and deadlines are missed as gaming becomes the primary focus. This results in poor performance at school or work, negatively affecting grades. This may create a cycle of procrastination, where gaming provides temporary relief, as the long-term consequences can worsen academic performance.
3. Social Withdrawal and Isolation
Spending too much time online can lead to social withdrawal and isolation as a player spends more time immersed in gaming. Addicted players avoid face-to-face interactions with family and friends, preferring to engage in online gaming communities. This kind of ongoing isolation results in deteriorating relationships and reduced social skills. Players become more disconnected from the real world as their time spent gaming increases, neglecting social events and activities. The lack of social engagement exacerbates feelings of loneliness, making it harder to rebuild meaningful relationships. Social withdrawal deepens over time, as it reinforces the cycle of isolation and addiction.
4. Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Lifestyle
Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle becomes the norm, as players spend extended hours (6 to 12 hours or more) seated and engaged in gaming. Their lack of physical movement results in poor cardiovascular health, weight gain, and weakened muscles. Prolonged sitting for gaming sessions limits exercise and contributes to decreased energy levels. The risk of developing chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, and joint problems) increases significantly with little to no physical activity. Players' addiction to gaming fosters habits that promote a sedentary lifestyle, affecting physical and mental well-being. These issues worsen over time, leading to severe health complications (Obesity, Poor posture, and Diabetes).
5. Eye Strain, Headaches, and Vision Problems
Extended periods of gaming or screen time lead to eye strain, headaches, and vision problems. Staring at a screen for hours (6 to 12 hours) without breaks causes the eyes to become fatigued, leading to discomfort, dry eyes, and blurred vision. The blue light emitted from screens contributes to digital eye strain, resulting in headaches and difficulty focusing. Prolonged exposure without proper eye care or breaks worsens symptoms and increases the risk of long-term vision issues. Continuous screen time also disrupts sleep patterns, leading to health problems (fatigue and mental fog).
6. Increased Irritability, Anxiety, and Mood Swings
The compulsive nature of gaming forces players to prioritize gaming over other aspects of their lives, causing stress when they are unable to play. The lack of social interactions in the real world also contributes to frustration and emotional instability. Prolonged gaming sessions without breaks hinder emotional regulation, leading to mood fluctuations. Anxiety levels rise as the individual becomes more disconnected from reality and develops obsessive thoughts about gaming progress or outcomes. The added emotional distress negatively affects relationships and daily functioning, leading to significant psychological strain.
7. Neglect of Personal Responsibilities and Hygiene
Game addiction leads to neglect of personal responsibilities and hygiene, due to the excessive amount of time spent gaming. Players prioritize gaming over daily tasks (eating, cleaning, or maintaining relationships), which deteriorates their well-being. Personal hygiene (bathing, brushing teeth, and dressing) is ignored as gaming consumes more and more of their time. The lack of self-care creates physical discomfort and results in poor health. Responsibilities (work, school, or chores) are abandoned, leading to negative consequences in their personal and professional life. The longer this persists, the more difficult it becomes to regain control of these activities and responsibilities.
8. Poor Posture, Back Pain, and Repetitive Strain Injuries
It can lead to poor posture, back pain, and repetitive strain injuries due to prolonged periods of sitting without proper ergonomics. Extended gaming sessions cause individuals to slouch or hunch over, which places strain on the spine, muscles, and joints. It results in back pain, neck stiffness, and muscle fatigue. The repetitive motion of using a controller, keyboard, or mouse for hours at a time leads to strain on the wrists, fingers, and shoulders, causing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. These physical issues may worsen without proper breaks or corrective measures, leading to chronic pain and discomfort that affect daily functioning.
9. Depression and Emotional Dependence on Gaming
Game addiction leads to depression and emotional dependence on gaming, as individuals increasingly rely on virtual environments to cope with real-life issues. The constant need for gaming to escape emotional stress or personal problems creates a cycle where players experience intense emotional lows when they are not gaming. This increased dependency prevents gamers from finding joy or fulfillment in other activities, making it harder to form meaningful connections outside of the gaming world. The lack of balance between gaming and real-life interactions can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness. Depression worsens as the person continues to neglect other aspects of life (personal relationships, work or school responsibilities, and physical health) in favor of gaming, in result, intensifying further emotional distress.
10. Loss of Interest in Real-Life Activities and Relationships
Individuals prioritize gaming over social interactions and personal interests. The more time spent gaming, the less energy or motivation remains for engaging in hobbies, physical activities, or maintaining relationships. Social events, family gatherings, and friendships become secondary to gaming, leading to emotional distance and weakened bonds. The gamer may become more immersed in the virtual world, alienating themselves from reality. This kind of social withdrawal results in deteriorating relationships, isolation, and a lack of fulfillment outside of the gaming experience.
Fortnite: Fortnite is known for its battle royale mode, which combines fast-paced action with frequent updates and in-game events that maintain player interest.
League of Legends: The multiplayer online battle arena game promotes intense competition, team strategy, and progression through ranks, encouraging long gaming sessions.
World of Warcraft: A massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) that offers an expansive world with continuous quests, social interactions, and character levelling, creating a strong incentive for players to keep playing.
Call of Duty: Warzone: The free-to-play battle royale game features fast-paced action, multiplayer modes, and regular updates, keeping players engaged for extended periods.
Minecraft: The open-world sandbox game allows for endless creativity and exploration, making it difficult for players to stop once they get immersed in building and survival modes.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG): The battle royale game emphasizes strategic gameplay and team cooperation, making players return for more matches to improve their skills and achieve better rankings, which contributes to the addictive nature of games like Fortnite.
Why is Online Gaming So Addictive?
Tim comments: “Online gaming is so addictive due to the constant stimulation it provides. Gaming addiction, or online gaming disorder, is characterized by excessive engagement in gaming, leading to neglect of daily responsibilities and relationships. The brain releases dopamine during gaming, which reinforces the behavior and creates a sense of pleasure, encouraging players to continue. Reward systems (leveling up and virtual achievements) trigger dopamine surges, fostering a cycle of compulsion. Psychological theories suggest that players may use gaming as an escape from real-life stressors or seek validation through in-game accomplishments. Feelings of control and progress in a virtual environment, also contributes to the gaming addiction cycle”.
What are the Causes of Online Gaming Addiction?
Dopamine release: The brain rewards players with dopamine during gaming, reinforcing the desire to keep playing.
Escaping reality: Games offer an escape from real-life problems or stress, making them a coping mechanism.
Social connection: Online multiplayer games create a sense of belonging, drawing players into continuous engagement.
Reward systems: Achievements, level-ups, and virtual rewards provide a sense of accomplishment, encouraging more play.
Competition: Constant competition for rankings or status drives players to stay invested in gaming.
Routine formation: Habitual gaming becomes ingrained as part of daily life, making it harder to stop.
The brain’s reward system is influenced by the release of dopamine during gaming, which reinforces the behavior and encourages engagement on a biological level. Environmental factors (stress, social isolation, or a lack of fulfilling offline activities) push players toward gaming as a form of escape or coping mechanism. Social dynamics, such as peer pressure or the desire for validation through online gaming achievements, contribute to the addiction. Various factors (social dynamics, environment, and routine) combined together, create a cycle that is hard to break without addressing the underlying biological impulses and environmental triggers.
Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction
Preoccupation with gaming: Thinking about gaming and planning the next session, even when not playing.
Increased time spent gaming: Spending more time on games than planned, leading to neglect of other activities.
Neglect of responsibilities: Failing to meet personal, academic, or work obligations due to excessive gaming.
Loss of interest in other activities: Losing interest in hobbies, sports, or social interactions that were previously enjoyed.
Mood swings: Feeling irritable, anxious, or upset when unable to play games or when gaming is interrupted.
Deceptive behavior: Lying to others about the amount of time spent gaming or the nature of gaming activities.
Escaping real-life problems: Using gaming as a way to avoid emotional issues or difficult situations.
Tolerance: Needing to play for longer periods or engage in more intense gaming to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing restlessness, irritability, or depression when not gaming.
Seven Steps for Concerned Parents
Track gaming time. Monitor how much time is spent playing games daily. Longer time spent indicates an addiction. Also, consider if gaming consistently takes up more time than planned.
Assess personal neglect. Evaluate whether responsibilities (work, school, or relationships) are being ignored in favor of gaming. A pattern of neglecting these commitments may point to addictive behavior.
Notice physical symptoms. Pay attention to signs (eye strain, sleep deprivation, or poor posture). The physical issues that arise from excessive gaming may signal addiction.
Observe emotional dependence. Observe how it feels when not playing. Consider if there is a strong emotional attachment, and if anxiety, irritability, or depression occur when you are unable to game.
Evaluate mood changes. Check if gaming affects mood. Feeling a sense of frustration or anger when interrupted while gaming is common in addiction.
Consider social isolation. Review if social interactions with family and friends are being replaced by online gaming. Isolation is a common sign of addiction.
Reflect on compulsive gaming. Are you playing, even when there is no desire to play or playing despite negative consequences? This kind of obsessive behavior signals potential addiction.
When Professional Help Is Needed
If gaming is affecting your child’s mood, health, relationships, or sense of control, it may be time to seek support. You do not need to wait for a crisis before reaching out. Early intervention is always easier than recovery from entrenched dependence.
The Edge, a facility designed exclusively for teens and young men aged 18-28, combines evidence-based therapy, physical challenge, and adventure in a safe, supportive environment. For more information about The Edge Crete please click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment