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Video games are a major part of youth culture today and a common hobby, with around 85% of teens reporting they play video games, and 41% reporting they play them daily. For many teens, gaming is not just a form of entertainment but a way to connect with peers, as 72% of teen gamers report playing to spend time with others [1].
Gaming can be a healthy hobby that improves teens’ problem-solving skills and allows them to form social connections through shared interests. However, there are also several risks, especially when gaming becomes excessive, such as sleep or mental health issues, and an increased risk of obesity.
Read on to weigh the risks and benefits of gaming and what to consider when setting limits around video game use in the home.
What Is Gaming?
The term “gaming” simply refers to playing games, particularly video games, on consoles, computers, and mobile phones. Gaming became common in everyday language with the rise of video games from the 1980s as a cultural activity and hobby, especially among youth.
The word gamer, today referring to someone who is a regular video game player, actually dates back to the 1400s in England, where it was used to refer to someone who gambled or played games of chance [2].
Today, gaming culture includes its own slang, acronyms, and meme language that have emerged from online and community spaces, especially multiplayer environments.
Why Do Teens Enjoy Gaming?
Teens report several reasons for enjoying playing video games, and some of the most common include [3]:
Hang Out: Forming friendships, building social connections without the pressure of face-to-face interaction, or even playing with family can help teens relax, socialize, and escape the pressures of daily life or academics.
Kill Time: These are games played between activities or during spare time, especially games on mobile phone apps and handheld devices (e.g., Nintendo Switch Lite).
Sense of Achievement: Games offer teens clear goals, immediate feedback, and oftentimes, rewards. These can be appealing to the developing brain, often motivated by accomplishment and mastery of a skill, which can provide a sense of control and competence.
Can Gaming Be A Healthy Hobby?
Gaming can be a healthy hobby for teens when it’s age-appropriate and doesn’t become excessive or compulsive. Many video games require strategic thinking, helping teens boost their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. This can strengthen cognitive flexibility, especially during a vulnerable time like development [4].
Other benefits of gaming for teens include:
- Collaboration: Multiplayer games encourage teens to communicate and problem-solve together through shared goals and teamwork.
- Perseverance: Teens learn to set goals and progress through levels even through failure.
- Stress Relief: In moderation and combined with other positive coping skills, gaming can be a healthy way for teens to wind down and relieve stress from school, homework, and life.
When Gaming Becomes A Problem: The Impact of Video Games
Video games are neither universally good nor bad. But for a smaller group of teens, gaming can interfere with daily functioning, school, and sleep, making it important for parents to focus on patterns of use. Five consequences of excessive gaming include [5][6][7][8]:
- Video Game Addiction: For some teens (estimated 8%), gaming becomes compulsive and impossible to stop without intervention, often interfering with self-care, mood, and daily functioning.
- Anxiety: Excessive gaming, competitive multiplayer games, or online games can increase stress and anxiety with a sense of failure, pressure to compete and win, cyberbullying, harassment in-game, or chat rooms.
- Depression: Teens who play excessively may spend time isolated in their rooms, or struggle with sleep, which can lower self-esteem and increase the risk of depression.
- Eye & Posture Problems: Nearly 52% of gamers report neck and back pain, and almost 50% report eye fatigue from constant straining, lack of mobility, or sitting in odd positions.
- Increased Risk of Obesity: Sedentary behavior combined with constant snacking (e.g, Doritos and Takis) greatly increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health problems. Many gamers report drinking energy drinks or sugary sodas to help them stay awake (Monster or Mountain Dew).
Should I Allow My Teen to Play Video Games?
If you’re wondering whether to allow gaming, it can be helpful to treat it like any other hobby. Setting clear boundaries around when and how long teens play can help ensure gaming remains a positive activity.
Many experts suggest a maximum of 1–2 hours on school days and a bit more on weekends. Encourage them to take breaks, get regular physical activity, and engage in face-to-face social interactions outside of screens.
Discuss with your teens the games they are playing to ensure age-appropriate content, and monitor for signs of stress, sleep difficulties, or compulsive gaming. As with any hobby they get involved in, it’s important to help them balance gaming with school, family, and other activities.
Supporting Healthy Habits for Teens and Families at Clearfork Academy
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from substance abuse disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges. We understand the importance of addressing gaming, online trends, and social media apps, all of which play significant roles in today’s youth’s lives.
We also provide education to families and communities to support the growth and development of teens. Our family support services include therapy, skill-building workshops, and educational events to help parents and caregivers strengthen their relationships with youth to foster their success and emotional well-being.
Discover how Clearfork Academy can support your teen today.
Sources
[1] Gottfried, J. et al. 2024. Teens and Video Games Today. Pew Research.
[2] Willaert, K. 2019. The Origin Of The Term “Gamer”. Critical Hit.
[3] iThrive Games. 2016. Why Do Teens Play Video Games?
[4] National Institute of Health. 2022. Video gaming may be associated with better cognitive performance in children.
[5] Grinspoon, P. 2020. The health effects of too much gaming. Harvard Health.
[6] Hilberg, T. et al. (2026). Do Esports Players Experience Pain? Pain Prevalence of Esports Players: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports medicine – open, 12(1), 1.
[7] University of Leeds. 2020. Playing video games is linked to higher BMI in kids. JAMA Pediatrics.
[8] E-Sports Health & Performance Institute. 2023. Gaming Eye Strain: Effects of Prolonged Continuous Computer Gaming on Physical and Ocular Symptoms and Binocular Vision Functions in Young Healthy Individuals.
Mike Carter, LCDC
Alumni Relations Manager
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
