When your teen spends a lot of time playing video games, you might be concerned about the impact of gaming on their mental health. If you’re a parent of a teen, there’s a good chance that video games are already part of your household. Over 190 million Americans play video games. While gaming is a typical aspect of daily life for many people, it might be a cause for concern when gaming habits become excessive and exacerbate mental health challenges like anxiety or depression.

Whether it’s on a console, computer or smartphone, gaming is more than just a hobby for many teens. Gaming can be a way to socialize, escape stress and even express creativity. Like many hobbies, gaming can come with upsides and downsides. Understanding how video games might positively or negatively impact your teen’s mental health can be key to getting insight into your teen’s thoughts and behaviors.

3 positive effects of gaming on mental health

While some parents see playing video games as inherently wasteful or bad for mental health, this is not necessarily true. Video games can have some important positive effects, including:

• Connection and belonging — Online games can give teens a way to stay connected with friends. This is often important for teens who struggle with face-to-face social situations or have friends who live far away. Teaming up with peers online can help teens form strong bonds and feel less alone. In one study on the impact of video games on mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, 77% of participants believed that playing video games during COVID-19 lockdown had been beneficial to their mental health. One in 5 respondents emphasized the importance of video games in strengthening social connections. For some teens, video games can be an important source of social connection and community.
• Skill-building — Certain games challenge players to think critically, solve problems and make quick decisions. Strategy games and puzzle-solving adventures can sharpen focus, teamwork and decision-making skills. These experiences can help teens feel capable, smart and confident in their abilities. Some games involve role-playing and storytelling that encourage creativity and emotional expression. For teens who have trouble expressing themselves in real life, this can be a powerful outlet.
• Coping with stress — Gaming can serve as a break from real-life worries. For some, it’s a way to decompress after school, cool down after an argument or deal with anxious feelings in a safer space. Used in moderation, games can offer a sense of control and structure that helps calm the nervous system. Some games are designed to be calming, with relaxing elements like calming music and natural environments. These games may help reduce tension and promote mindfulness.

3 negative effects of gaming on mental health

Gaming can come with risks. When gaming becomes excessive or interferes with a teen’s daily life, it might start to take a toll on their mental health. Some potential negative impacts include:

• Sleep problems — Too much screen time might disrupt your teen’s sleep patterns. This is caused more by a lack of moderation than video games themselves. A systematic review found that casual video game playing was not associated with negative effects on sleep. However, gaming excessively and compulsively was linked to negative effects on sleep quality and timing. Sleep is essential to mood regulation and maintaining energy. Without good sleep, your teen may struggle with fatigue and intense emotions.
• Avoidance and isolation — While some teens use gaming to connect, others might use games as a way to isolate themselves. If your teen starts skipping activities they used to enjoy, avoiding loved ones or using games to escape real-life problems, it may be a sign of emotional distress. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it can also make underlying issues worse in the long run.
• Increased distress — Certain games can cause emotional highs and lows that may affect your teen’s mood even after the screen is off. Competitive or fast-paced games can lead to increased frustration, especially if your teen is prone to perfectionism or has difficulty managing anger. Studies have found a high co-occurrence between excessive gaming and emotional distress in young adults. If your teen seems more irritable, withdrawn or emotionally overwhelmed after gaming, it may be time to talk about setting healthier limits.

If you’re noticing that gaming is becoming your teen’s sole way of coping with worsening mental health symptoms, it may be time to seek more support. If gaming is affecting school, relationships or emotional health, a mental health professional can help your teen understand what’s underneath the behavior and develop healthier tools for coping.

At Lightfully Teen, we offer higher levels of mental health treatment for teens who are struggling with mental and emotional challenges. Our approach takes each client’s full situation into account. We don’t just look at symptoms; we look at each client as a whole person. This means we can help identify whether your teen’s mental health challenges are connected to gaming, then work to find a solution together.

Change is possible. If you’re not sure whether treatment is right for your teen, contact us for an assessment. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.