Technology is now a big part of everyday life, and it’s no surprise that gaming has become such a popular activity for teens. While for many, it's simply a source of entertainment and social connection, others develop a serious addiction. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognised gaming disorder as a behavioural addiction, characterised by “impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences”.

Video games are designed to be highly engaging and rewarding, which can make them addictive. Here’s why:

• Gaming triggers dopamine release, the brain’s pleasure chemical, reinforcing repetitive play and making it difficult to stop.
• Many teenagers turn to gaming as an escape from stress, anxiety, or real-life challenges.
• Multiplayer games create strong online communities, which can lead to social withdrawal.
• Games use reward mechanisms such as level-ups, achievements and in-game purchases to encourage non-stop engagement.

Recent data indicates that about 60% of young Australians aged 8 to 17 participate in online gaming, highlighting just how popular they are. A study conducted by Macquarie University involving about 1,000 Australian teenagers found that 2.8% were affected by Internet Gaming Disorder.
So, how do you know when your teen’s gaming has become a problem? Gaming addiction does not affect all teenagers the same way, but when it begins to affect daily life, it’s time for intervention. Many key warning signs come with addiction, and some of these include:

• Inability to cut down on gaming despite negative consequences.
• Decline in school performance, missed assignments, or ignoring household duties.
• Avoiding family and friends, preferring online gaming relationships.
• Staying up late to play games, leading to fatigue.
• Increased irritability, frustration, or anxiety when unable to play.

As gaming addiction among teenagers becomes a growing concern in Australia, allied health professionals are playing an important role in identifying, managing and treating this screen dependence. The approach often involves a mixed team of psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and dietitians to address all areas.

Psychologists and counsellors use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help teenagers recognise the underlying emotional triggers behind their gaming addiction. CBT helps in developing coping mechanisms, improving impulse control and changing problematic gaming behaviours. Other techniques they use include:

• Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help teenagers recognise the impact of gaming on their lives and increase their motivation to make positive changes.
• Mindfulness-based therapy to reduce stress and anxiety associated with withdrawal from gaming, promoting self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Occupational therapists (OTs) help teenagers establish balanced daily routines, so gaming does not interfere with schoolwork, physical exercise and social interactions. By introducing structured schedules, new hobbies and self-regulation strategies, OTs help teens manage their screen time effectively.
This digital detox involves gradually reducing screen time to help teenagers regain control over their gaming habits without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

• Instead of quitting gaming entirely, professionals help teenagers reduce screen time incrementally, replacing it with healthier activities.
• Apps such as Google Family Link and Apple ScreenTime help monitor and limit gaming hours.
• Encouraging gaming-free spaces in the home, such as bedrooms and dining areas reduces overreliance on screens.

Gaming can also lead to poor posture, strain and repetitive stress injuries. Physiotherapists work with teenagers to address these issues through postural training, strength exercises and movement therapy. They also educate teenagers on the importance of taking breaks, ergonomic gaming setups and maintaining an active lifestyle to prevent long-term health consequences.

All these allied health professionals come together to provide an in-depth intervention plan that addresses both the psychological and physical aspects of gaming addiction. Working together, they help teenagers develop healthy habits, improve emotional regulation and re-engage with real-world activities.

However, there are plenty of challenges preventing teenagers from accessing the help they need. Unlike substance addiction, gaming addiction is a behavioural disorder, making it harder to identify and, despite the negative consequences experienced, many teenagers do not meet the strict clinical criteria for “gaming disorder” as defined by the World Health Organization. This blurred line between healthy gaming and addiction makes it difficult for parents and professionals to determine when gaming has become problematic.

At the same time, many teenagers do not consider their gaming habits problematic, leading to resistance when parents or professionals attempt to help. Gaming provides a sense of achievement, social status and belonging, making it difficult for teenagers to reduce screen time willingly. When forced to reduce gaming, some teenagers experience mood swings, aggression, or withdrawal symptoms, further complicating parental intervention.

As gaming addiction among teenagers continues to be a growing concern in Australia, future strategies must focus on early intervention, research and improved support systems for families and healthcare professionals. Addressing screen dependence requires a collaborative effort between the government, allied health professionals, educators and technology developers to ensure teenagers can develop a healthy relationship with gaming.

For parents and teenagers seeking help, organisations such as Headspace, the eSafety Commissioner, and the Raising Children Network offer resources and professional guidance on managing screen time and addressing gaming dependence. Early intervention is essential—by working together, families, healthcare providers and educators can help teenagers develop a balanced and mindful approach to gaming, ensuring that screen time remains a healthy and positive part of their lives rather than a source of harm.