How Excessive Gaming Harms Children's Physical, Mental Health

12 hours ago 6

January 27, 2026 | 05:51 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Prolonged video game use can increase the risk of obesity and mental health problems among children and adolescents, according to Heru Subekti, an Indonesian associate professor of nursing at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta.

Heru’s warning aligns with findings from a recent study by Curtin University in Australia, which examined gaming habits among 317 students from five universities, with an average age of 20.

“Playing games for more than 10 hours per week, whether on a computer or a mobile phone, is associated with sleep disturbances, a sedentary lifestyle, and a higher risk of obesity,” Heru said in a written statement on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Why Gaming Can Become Addictive

According to Heru, excessive gaming can trigger addiction through the release of dopamine, a hormone linked to pleasure and reward. This chemical response encourages players to keep playing, potentially leading to addictive behavior over time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized this condition as internet gaming disorder, classifying it as a mental health issue when gaming behavior becomes compulsive and disrupts daily life.

The Health Risks Linked to Heavy Gaming

The Curtin University study grouped participants based on weekly gaming duration: up to five hours, five to 10 hours, and more than 10 hours.

The results showed that those who played for more than 10 hours a week experienced the most significant decline in both physical and mental health.

Beyond mental health concerns, excessive gaming was also linked to physical problems. Repetitive mouse use can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness or pain in the fingers.

Prolonged screen use with a bent neck posture can result in “text neck syndrome,” which causes neck pain and, in severe cases, may affect the spine.

“When the neck is bent for long periods, the load on the muscles increases, leading to pain and discomfort,” Heru explained.

Excessive gaming can also affect social development. Children and adolescents who spend too much time gaming may experience reduced social interaction, strained family relationships, and declining academic performance.

“Friendships can suffer, communication with parents may worsen, and even spiritual well-being can be affected,” Heru said.

Finding a Healthier Balance

To reduce these risks, Heru recommends limiting gaming to no more than five hours per week. At this level, he said, gaming can still offer positive benefits, such as creativity and social bonding, without compromising health.

He also emphasized the importance of encouraging children and adolescents to engage in physical activity and more productive hobbies.

“Awareness needs to be raised, habits must change, and physical activity should be increased,” he said.

Read: How Environmental Change, Human Behavior Fuel Nipah Virus Outbreaks

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Vince Zampella Net Worth: How Rich Was the Call of Duty's Co-Creator?

34 hari lalu

Vince Zampella Net Worth: How Rich Was the Call of Duty's Co-Creator?

Vince Zampella's net worth was estimated at around $40 million at the time of his death on December 21 at the age of 55.

Calls Grow for Indonesian Gov't to Regulate Roblox Instead of Blocking It

26 Agustus 2025

Calls Grow for Indonesian Gov't to Regulate Roblox Instead of Blocking It

Shieny Aprilia urged the government not to rush into banning Roblox, stressing the need for rules that protect minors without hurting the industry.

Indonesia Pushes Local Gaming Industry to Become New Economic Power

19 Mei 2025

Indonesia Pushes Local Gaming Industry to Become New Economic Power

The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) targets the national gaming industry as the new engine for Indonesia's economic growth with a target of 8 percent.

30 Years of PlayStation, Flashback to the Birth of King of Gaming Consoles

4 Desember 2024

30 Years of PlayStation, Flashback to the Birth of King of Gaming Consoles

The first PlayStation was launched in Japan as a game console that competes with Nintendo's existence. Here's a flashback to the birth of PlayStation.

Philippines to Start Winding Down Operations of Offshore Gaming Hubs

23 Juli 2024