PETALING JAYA: Parents remain the first line of defence in ensuring children game safely, as regulations alone may not be enough to prevent excessive gaming, says a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist.
Consultant Psychiatrist and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Wong Yim Chan advised parents to consider whether gaming was replacing sleep, homework, hobbies, friendships or family time.
He said gaming becomes a concern not because of the hours spent playing, but how it affects a child’s daily functioning.
He noted that sleep was among the biggest concerns, as children and teenagers generally require eight to 10 hours of sleep each night, according to his research.
“Late-night gaming could delay bedtime and shorten sleep, while interrupted sleep was linked to anxiety and depression among youths,” he said, adding that this could affect their performance in school.
“Other warning signs parents can take note of their children include when the game dominates their thoughts and priorities, getting angry when asked stop, hiding gaming activity and playing longer than intended.
“If these signs persist, parents should speak to a doctor or mental health professional,” he said.
Dr Wong noted that excessive gaming could sometimes be a response to an underlying issue rather than the root cause.
“Some children use gaming to cope with anxiety, low mood or bullying. In that case, we must treat the underlying problem, not only the gaming,” he added.
He also cautioned that children and teenagers could be particularly vulnerable to game features designed to encourage continued play, such as random rewards, time-limited offers and frequent notifications, as their self-control was still developing.
Dr Wong said policymakers and gaming platforms could help reduce these risks through measures such as restrictions on late-night play, spending caps, parental consent requirements for higher-risk features and less intrusive notifications.
However, he stressed that regulation works best alongside parents, not instead of them.
“Parents can also charge children’s devices outside the bedroom overnight, check age ratings and game settings and agree on gaming rules together,” he advised.
“Sudden confiscation of devices tends to lead to hiding, not less gaming,” he said.
Clinical psychologist Lavender Tan said gaming becomes a concern when it takes priority over other areas of a child’s life.
Parents should watch for children sacrificing their studies, in-person socialisation and physical hobbies, or even basic needs like eating and sleeping, she said.
She also encouraged parents to introduce alternatives such as sports, clubs, reading and volunteering to children.
As problematic gaming often develops gradually, this allows parents to intervene early.
“It’s important that gaming is not their only source of socialisation, cognitive stimulation and recreation.
“No matter how much benefit any activity brings, there is always a limit it hits before it becomes detrimental, and we hit that limit sooner rather than later with gaming,” she said.
She added that prolonged gaming can also affect children’s sleep patterns, physical activity, eyesight and posture.
Like Dr Wong, Tan said children could be more susceptible to gaming features designed to encourage continuous playing because their ability to control it, is still developing.
“Loot boxes, reward loops and time-limited offers could also encourage impulsive behaviour among children,” she said.
However, she cautioned against viewing gaming solely in negative terms, noting that it could provide social, cognitive and recreational benefits when enjoyed in moderation.
