Kids and online gaming: How much is too much?

The University of Kentucky Public Relations and Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week's column is by Anthony Limperos, Ph.D., acting chair and associate professor, Department of Communication and associate dean for Graduate Programs in Communication at the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 20, 2023) — Technology is engrained in our daily lives. We use it to learn and to work, and many use it for play. Today's children use the internet for almost everything, so why shouldn't they safely enjoy it? Being informed about your child's game play will help in understanding how much is too much versus just the right amount.

Online gaming is a form of video game play that allows the user to play the same game as others regardless of their locations. Online video games are attractive for three reasons:

Most kids that play online are not just learning about things in the game environment, they're also learning how to regulate their game play. If you’re worried about video game addiction side effects like anxiety or stress, it's important to focus on their relationships. If kids are having trouble engaging with friends or family outside of the gaming environment, it might be time to slightly limit their game play.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under the age of 2. They recommend up to about an hour of screen time for kids ages 2 to 5. After the age of 5 to approximately adulthood, they recommend no more than two to three hours per day.

I have a 7-year-old son myself, and we often let him game for about an hour a day. Sometimes he plays only for 20 minutes at a time. It's up to us as his parents to set those limits and impose them. Parents might be shocked to hear the AAP recommendations, because they could have children that are playing much longer than that. Setting your own limits for your kids and sticking to them is your best course of action.

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