“Just one more round!”—many parents are familiar with this phrase. Whether it’s Minecraft, Mario Kart, or Fortnite, video games are part of everyday life for many children and teens. For parents, the question often remains: how do they strike the right balance?
There is no set amount of screen time that works for all children. Children develop at different rates. Therefore, the question of what role video games play in your child’s daily life is much more meaningful than the amount of time spent playing them.
Instead of counting minutes, take a look at your child’s daily routine. Is your child doing well in school? Do they have time for friends, physical activity, and other hobbies? Are they getting enough sleep? And are they usually able to stop playing without a big argument? If all of these factors balance out well, video games are usually a perfectly normal part of family life. That said, not every day has to be the same. On a rainy day during vacation, your child will likely play longer than on a school day. So it’s better to look at daily life as a whole rather than at individual exceptions.
Games are usually designed to encourage players to keep playing. New challenges, rewards, or group play sessions make it easy for children to lose track of time. If your child is reluctant to stop, it’s often not due to a lack of discipline, but rather the way the game is structured. Furthermore, some games can’t simply be paused. If your child is playing online with others, they don’t want to let the team down. Agreeing on a plan in advance usually works better than a sudden “That’s it now.” If your child knows beforehand that they’ll stop after this round or this level, it’s often easier for them to stop.
Agreements usually work better when children are allowed to help shape them. Talk about when they can play and which times in your family are intentionally screen-free, such as during meals or before bedtime. As children get older, they can take on more responsibility. Therefore, adjust your agreements regularly. Time limits or break reminders on consoles, tablets, or smartphones can help with this. However, they are no substitute for talking things through together. Video games should have their place alongside school, sleep, exercise, friendships, and family time—not take their place.
Sometimes video games take up too much of a child’s time. You should be on the lookout if your child shows little interest in other activities, repeatedly breaks agreements, or if there are frequent arguments about gaming. Even if sleep, school, or your child’s mood are suffering, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Ask your child to show you their favorite games and tell you what makes them fun and who they play with. Observe any changes over a longer period of time and talk about them together. When you show an interest in your child’s gaming world, it’s often easier to start a conversation—even about difficult situations. There’s no such thing as the “perfect” screen time. The goal is for your child to gradually learn how to use digital media responsibly.
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