Gaming and Internet Issues: When Teens Get Stuck Online

Video games are a normal part of many teenagers’ lives, offering entertainment, social connection and a way to relax. However, when gaming starts to dominate a young person’s time, it can begin to affect sleep, schoolwork, relationships and overall wellbeing.

From a brain perspective, becoming hooked on video games is not so different from other types of addictive behaviour. Games activate the brain’s dopamine reward pathways — the same systems that are involved in activities like social bonding, eating and achievement. While these pathways help motivate us in healthy ways, they can also be hijacked when something provides frequent, intense rewards.

This is particularly relevant for teenagers. The adolescent brain is still developing and is more vulnerable to highly stimulating digital experiences. At the same time, modern video games are becoming increasingly sophisticated, designed to keep players engaged through constant rewards, competition and progression.

We'll discuss why video games can be so compelling for the developing teenage brain, and how to recognise when gaming is starting to affect sleep, school, mood or relationships. We'll also cover practical ways parents can set healthy boundaries and help teens keep gaming balanced with the rest of life.