After Ghaziabad Case, Doctors Warn: Online Gaming Addiction and Children’s Mental Health

The recent Ghaziabad incident involving minor siblings who allegedly jumped from their building has reignited a nationwide conversation on children’s mental health, excessive online gaming, and the growing risks of digital dependency among adolescents. Even though online games are often seen as harmless entertainment, mental health experts warn that unregulated and prolonged gaming can have serious psychological and emotional consequences for children. According to Dr Ashima Rajnan, a psychiatrist at Yatharth Hospital, games affect their psychological and mental health balance. “Playing games online for too long can make it hard to sleep, hard to concentrate, and raise your stress levels. Kids could get angry, scared, or sad. Over time, they

stopped caring as much about school, friends, and things that happened in real life. Kids who play video games all the time also have a harder time controlling their emotions and impulses, which makes it harder for them to handle failure or frustration,” she said.

The rise of online gaming among children

Online gaming has become deeply embedded in children’s daily lives, especially after the pandemic-driven shift toward digital engagement. Multiplayer games, reward-based systems, and competitive formats are designed to keep players hooked. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable because their emotional regulation, impulse control, and decision-making abilities are still developing. “Yes. Kids can get emotionally sensitive and stressed due to harsh bans, sudden rules, and any punishments. Some kids feel hopeless and think no one understands. Limitations are good. But they need to be calm and constructive and help the kids in the process,” said Dr Ranjan.

How does excessive gaming affect mental health?

According to experts, excessive online gaming significantly impacts a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Prolonged screen exposure has been linked to anxiety, irritability, mood swings, aggression, and social withdrawal. Many children show symptoms similar to behavioural addiction, including restlessness when not gaming and an inability to cut down despite negative consequences. Studies, including those published in the National Institutes of Health, have linked gaming addiction to sleep disturbances, reduced academic performance, poor concentration, and increased stress. In severe cases, children may experience depression, low self-esteem, emotional numbness, and distorted reality perception, especially when gaming becomes a coping mechanism for stress or loneliness.Also read: Millennials and Gen Z Face Rising Rates of Psychosis and Schizophrenia

What should parents watch out for?

Dr Ranjan stresses the importance of identifying early warning signs of gaming addiction and psychological distress, including:

• Obsession with gaming and irritability when restricted
• Decline in school performance and loss of interest in hobbies
• Sleep problems, fatigue, and changes in appetite
• Social withdrawal from family and friends
• Emotional outbursts, anxiety, or depressive symptoms

“When parents see extreme emotions such as anger, sadness, and fear, they are warranted to get help. Extreme emotional responses include worthlessness, wanting to escape life or hurting themselves, changes in behaviour, and not being able to do one's daily activities, are areas of concern,” she added.

What can parents and schools do to help children?

Experts emphasize that early intervention is key. Parents should maintain open communication, set healthy screen-time boundaries, and encourage offline activities. Schools play a crucial role in monitoring behavioral changes and providing mental health support systems. Regular mental health check-ins and access to counselors can make a significant difference. Families need to create rules that are respectful and enforceable about how much time they can spend on screens, and then control them. Spend time with your child and engage them in outdoor activities and hobbies. Children need to be heard, so talk about your concerns and frustrations in a constructive way,” said Dr Ranjan. Doctors also caution against blaming children. Instead, excessive gaming should be seen as a signal of unmet emotional needs, academic stress, or social pressure.