Video Game Addiction: Why do some teens get addicted to gaming?
Guest Author: Viet Anh Ho, M.A., M.S., AMFT, APCC
Video games are a unique form of digital media that combine storytelling, challenges, and interactivity. Unlike movies or books, where the audience is passive, games let players actively participate, make choices, and shape the outcome. Teens can explore vast worlds, solve puzzles, compete, or cooperate to achieve goals, all while receiving instant feedback and rewards.
Because of this interactivity, video games can be deeply engaging and sometimes immersive. While they do not contain substances like drugs or alcohol, they can still be addictive for some teenagers. Games interact with the brain’s reward system, provide measurable progress, and meet important social and emotional needs. Even without chemicals, gaming can produce compulsive behaviors similar to other recognized behavioral addictions, making it important for parents to understand their impact.
If you are a parent of teenagers who play video games, it is important to recognize the potential for negative effects and addictive patterns. Like other activities such as sports, social media, or alcohol, gaming can be healthy when approached with moderation. It can provide social connection, creative outlets, problem-solving, and coping benefits.
However, gaming can also become harmful, especially for teenagers who are still developing socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Video game addiction (VGA) is recognized as a behavioral addiction. The World Health Organization classifies it as “gaming disorder,” and although the American Psychiatric Association does not yet list it as a distinct disorder, it appears in the DSM-5 as a condition warranting further study.
Games are intentionally designed to keep players engaged. Their structure, pace, and reward mechanics interact with the brain’s natural drive for pleasure, progress, and mastery. These features can make even casual play feel hard to stop:
Dopamine-driven rewards: Achievements, level-ups, or rare items release dopamine — a feel-good neurotransmitter that reinforces play.
Clear goals and constant feedback: Every action has a measurable result, providing structure and purpose that’s often missing in real life.
Variable rewards: Randomized prizes or rare “drops” mimic gambling reinforcement patterns, keeping players chasing the next reward.
Endless progression systems: Games are often built with no clear stopping point, encouraging continuous engagement.
Low-stakes failure: Players can retry instantly, making perseverance easy and failure emotionally safe.
Competitive and cooperative dynamics: Leaderboards, rankings, and team play create external motivation to stay active and improve.
Always-on access: Games are available 24/7 across devices, making it easy to fall into extended play patterns, especially at night.
For many teenagers, gaming fulfills real emotional needs, which makes it more than just a hobby. Understanding these needs can help parents see why gaming can feel essential:
Connection and friendship: Online multiplayer games provide a social network where teens can form bonds, collaborate, and belong to a community. For some, these friendships feel as meaningful as real-life interactions and may even be a primary source of social support.
Sense of competence and mastery: Games allow teens to develop skills, overcome challenges, and track measurable progress. Achievements, high scores, or in-game leadership roles give a concrete sense of accomplishment, which can boost confidence and self-esteem.
Identity and recognition: Custom avatars, stats, rankings, and achievements allow teens to express themselves and create a distinct identity. In a world where social validation can feel inconsistent, gaming can provide a reliable source of recognition and value.
Purpose and goal orientation: Games give clear objectives and meaningful challenges. Teens can feel a sense of purpose in advancing, completing missions, or helping their team succeed, providing direction when real-life goals may feel ambiguous or overwhelming.
Safe escape from stress: Gaming offers a structured environment where teens can step away from stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions. The virtual world provides control and predictability, helping teens regulate their moods and decompress after challenges in school or social life.
These connections show that gaming is compelling because it meets deep developmental and emotional needs during a period when identity, belonging, and competence are central to growth.
While gaming can meet important needs, balance is essential. Parents can support teens by:
Observing what games are played, for how long, and how they affect mood and responsibilities
Engaging in open conversations about the role of games in daily life
Encouraging other fulfilling activities, including social, creative, and physical outlets
Recognizing when gaming begins to interfere with school, relationships, or emotional health
Seeking professional support if gaming patterns become problematic
Professional help is often essential. Trained therapists can help uncover the underlying emotional and psychological factors driving gaming behaviors. With guidance, teens can develop coping strategies, build healthier relationships with themselves and others, and establish balanced habits that preserve the benefits of gaming while reducing risks.
If you or someone in your family are facing challenges related to video game addiction, we can provide compassionate and professional support. To explore these issues further in therapy for teens, please call (310) 271-2275 or contact us here to schedule an appointment.