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Gaming Addiction Singapore
How to Stop Gaming Addiction in Children and Youth with Counselling Therapy
Tips for Parents & Caregivers from HiDolphin Children & Youth Counselling Centre
Gaming is a natural part of childhood in this digital world today. But when play turns into gaming addiction, it can affect a child’s school performance, parent-child relationship, social life, sleep, and emotional well-being. At HiDolphin Children and Youth Counselling Centre, we help families understand gaming addiction and how counselling therapy can support healthy changes in the family dynamic.”
What Is Gaming Addiction in Children?
According to recent research by CNA, gaming addiction among children and adolescents has increased significantly in recent years. Health authorities have reported up to a 30% rise in cases of problematic gaming among youth since the pandemic, and a large percentage of these cases involve children under 18.¹
The World Health Organization now recognizes Gaming Disorder as a formal condition when gaming leads to impaired daily functioning and loss of control.
Signs of Gaming Addiction in Children
You may want to seek counselling if your child shows the following behaviour:
- Excessive gaming time that affects school performance
- Irritability, anxiety, or aggression when not gaming
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Sleep deprivation or unhealthy routines
- Withdrawal from family and friends
Understanding these signs early helps prevent long-term harm.
How Counselling Therapy Helps with Gaming Addiction
Counselling therapy provides structured, evidence-based strategies to help children understand and change unhealthy patterns.
Here’s how therapy works:
1. Comprehensive Assessment
A counsellor begins by distinguishing normal gaming from gaming addiction. This step includes evaluating:
- Playtime patterns
- Emotional triggers
- Behavioural changes
- Impact on school and social life
Early assessment sets the foundation for effective treatment.
2. Building Coping Skills and Healthy Habits
Counselling helps children and youth reduce cravings associated with gaming addiction through:
- Emotional regulation skills
- Stress management tools
- Alternative activities to gaming
- Moving from screen time to real life experiences
By strengthening these skills, children and youth become more resilient and less dependent on screens.
3. Family Counselling and Support
Gaming addiction doesn’t only affect the children & youth, it imapct the whole family. Family therapy:
- Helps parents establish consistent screen time limits
- Improves communication skills at home
- Encourages structured routines and healthy boundaries
- Strengthens parent–child bonding
- Supports parents in showing children what healthy habits look like.
When parents are involved, outcomes are better and change is more sustainable.
4. Addressing Underlying Issues
Many children use gaming to cope with:
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Academic stress
- Relationship issue
- Emotional dysregulation
Therapy helps uncover and address these root causes so children can build meaningful, balanced lives.
Research-Backed Evidence on Counselling and Gaming Addiction
Scientific studies show that structured counselling therapy reduces problematic gaming behaviours and improves emotional well-being. With professional support, children and youth learn to manage triggers, regulate emotions, and restore healthy daily routines.
According to surveys, around 12% of young people worldwide are at risk of gaming addiction, and many of them benefit from cognitive-behavioural interventions.²
Tips for Parents to Support Children
While counselling works, parents can also help at home:
✔ Set clear screen time limits
✔ Encourage physical and creative indoor and outdoor activities
✔ Monitor tech use without conflict
✔ Building positive behaviour and accomplishments
✔ Model healthy digital habits
When to Contact HiDolphin Children & Youth Counselling Centre
If gaming behaviour is affecting your child’s school performance, emotional health, sleep routine, parent-child relationship, peer relationship, losing interest in usual hobbies or favourite activities and isolation, it’s time to seek help.
HiDolphin Counselling offers child‑centred, family‑focused, strength‑based counselling with evidence‑based strategies to support healthy development. With early support and a balanced approach, children can overcome gaming addiction and thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and in their parent–child relationships.
👉 Contact us today to schedule an assessment and learn how we can help your child regain balance and well-being.
References
¹ “Gaming addiction cases up by 30% among youths,” Channel NewsAsia
² Survey on youth gaming habits suggests 12% are at risk of addiction, People’s Daily (China)