When a child becomes addicted to gaming, many parents tend to scold them, forbid playing, cut off the Wi-Fi, or confiscate devices. However, these methods only address the surface of the problem. Gaming addiction should be approached as a mental health issue that requires proper and professional intervention.
Children addicted to gaming – A mental disorder that should not be taken lightly
I never imagined that just because of gaming, my child would end up like this,” said Mrs. H. from Hanoi, breaking into tears as she spoke about her 15 year old son – once an excellent student, but since becoming addicted to games, he often skips school, locks himself in his room, and plays nonstop day and night.
She and her husband have tried every possible way to help him quit gaming – from scolding and yelling to hiding the computer, taking away his phone, and cutting off the Wi-Fi. Yet, the more they tried to stop him, the more aggressively he reacted — shouting and smashing things whenever they imposed restrictions.
Cases like Mrs. H’s son are far from rare. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 70–80% of children aged 10 to 15 enjoy playing online games, and about 10 – 15% show signs of gaming addiction. In 2019, the WHO officially recognized gaming addiction as a mental health condition in the updated International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
The WHO classifies those who excessively play games and maintain this behavior for over a year as having a mental health issue known as Gaming Disorder. This condition is characterized by a loss of control over gaming behavior. Despite being aware of the negative consequences, affected individuals continue to play compulsively, spending most of their time gaming while neglecting school, work, family, and social interactions.
According to Dr. Nguyen Hoang Yen, founder of Hoang Yen Psychiatric Clinic, modern video games are designed with captivating graphics, lively sounds, dramatic scenarios, and a high level of interactivity — all of which make them extremely appealing to young people. Academic pressure, along with expectations from family and society, also drives many children to seek video games as an “escape” to relieve stress and find validation they may not receive in real life.
In addition, a lack of emotional connection within the family can further push children into gaming. When parents are too busy, rarely listen, or have little time to spend with their children, the child may feel lonely. In such situations, gaming becomes a “virtual friend” that fills their emotional void.
Dr. Hoang Yen explained that prolonged gaming addiction can lead to serious consequences. Physically, children may skip meals, stay up late, and avoid physical activity, leading to fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, and problems with eyesight and posture. Psychologically, they may become irritable, withdrawn, lose interest in real-life activities, struggle with concentration, and even develop depression or anxiety. In some cases, academic performance declines, school dropout occurs, or negative behaviors such as stealing money to play games may emerge.
Therefore, to help children overcome gaming addiction effectively, parents need to adopt scientific, evidence-based approaches and seek guidance from mental health professionals to better understand their child’s condition and receive appropriate interventions.
What should parents do to help their child “quit gaming” the right way?
Dr. Hoang Yen explained that gaming addiction is a form of behavioral addiction. Common methods parents often use – such as scolding, confiscating phones or computers, or cutting off the internet – are usually ineffective.It’s important to recognize that this is fundamentally a mental health issue that requires professional intervention. Without proper treatment, children addicted to gaming may develop additional mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or delusional thinking.
At Hoang Yen Psychiatric Clinic, cases of gaming addiction are approached through a comprehensive treatment pathway from assessment and therapy to rehabilitation and long-term support. First, psychiatrists and psychologists at the clinic conduct an in-depth evaluation to determine the severity of the addiction and identify its underlying causes, such as emotional difficulties, family dynamics, or academic stress. They also assess whether the child has any coexisting mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Based on each individual case, the team develops a personalized treatment plan, often combining cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help the child manage emotions, cope with stress, and improve time management. The process of “quitting gaming” is not merely about reducing screen time – it focuses on changing habits, enhancing life skills, and rebuilding connections between the child, their family, and the surrounding environment.
Parents are also supported by the team of specialists, who provide guidance on communication skills and how to accompany their children throughout the process of overcoming gaming addiction. The use of medication, when necessary, is carefully prescribed and monitored to help stabilize the child’s mental state and enhance treatment effectiveness. After treatment, children continue to receive psychological follow-up and support to reduce the risk of relapse.
“Helping a child overcome gaming addiction is not simply about separating them from phones or computers, but requires in-depth psychological and behavioral intervention. We don’t just help them ‘quit gaming’; we help them rediscover motivation, reconnect with family and society, and rebuild confidence in themselves,” emphasized Dr. Hoang Yen.
Dr. Hoang Yen advised that if parents notice their child spending excessive time playing games, neglecting schoolwork, suffering from sleep disturbances, irregular eating habits, irritability, or social withdrawal, they should seek help from psychiatrists or psychologists as soon as possible. Early intervention increases the likelihood of successful recovery, helping the child regain both physical and mental well-being while preventing unfortunate consequences.
