Can excessive video game play contribute to ADHD?

So many of the parents that we talk with at Lucy Daniels Center are concerned with the amount of time that their child spends before one screen or another. Parents whose children have problems with attention are particularly concerned – as are we – about whether there could be some relationship between screen time and attention problems. Previous studies have shown a relationship between TV viewing and attention problems – a recent study addresses another aspect of the issue.

A study used a sophisticated design to examine whether there was an association, for middle schoolers, adolescents and early adults, between the amount of time spent playing video games and attention problems. The study found that that increased time spent playing video games was indeed associated with more attention problems for all age groups.

This information fits with observations that we have made time and time again at Lucy Daniels Center on the basis of our work with attention-challenged children. Parents will serve their children well if they provide reasonable boundaries around screen time for children – there are indeed other options! 

Mental Health Matters! is posted on the Carolina Parent Magazine's website, the Triangle's family resource - in print for over 21 years!  And online at www.carolinaparent.com.