Online Game Addiction in Children: Entertainment or the Start of Developmental Problems?
In the digital era, online games have become part of children’s daily lives. Besides offering entertainment and training various skills, these games also harbour risks when played excessively. Many children spend hours in front of screens, neglecting their studies, family interactions, and relationships with peers. This condition raises concerns that online game addiction may affect children’s cognitive and social development. Therefore, it is important to understand whether online games are merely entertainment or the beginning of various developmental problems that could impact a child’s future.
The phenomenon of online game addiction in children is currently a serious concern, not only in Indonesia but also globally. In Indonesia, the number of game players is estimated to reach tens of millions, with the majority being teenagers and children. Easy access via smartphones allows children to play at any time, potentially leading to excessive use.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified gaming disorder as a mental disorder since 2018. This condition is characterised by a loss of control over gaming activity, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continuation of gaming despite negative consequences. Several studies in Indonesia indicate that around 10–30% of students have a tendency towards game addiction, with a small fraction falling into the severe category.
The impact of game addiction is not only visible in declining academic achievement but also in health and social aspects. Addicted children tend to experience sleep disorders, fatigue, and a decrease in social interaction skills. Furthermore, the risk of emotional disturbances, such as irritability and difficulty concentrating, also increases.
The phenomenon of online game addiction in children cannot be viewed merely as a matter of playing habits; it is linked to the ongoing process of cognitive and social development. From primary school age to early adolescence, children are at a stage where logical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships are developing rapidly. If most of their time is spent playing games excessively, children’s opportunities to explore the real environment, interact directly with peers, and develop thinking skills through daily experiences are reduced. As a result, cognitive development and social skills may progress less than optimally.
Developmental psychology also explains that children’s learning processes are heavily influenced by interaction with others. Parents, teachers, and peers play an important role in providing direction, guidance, and learning experiences that help children achieve new abilities. When these interactions are replaced by continuous gaming activity, children risk losing the opportunity to obtain the guidance necessary to develop thinking, communication, and cooperation skills.
Moreover, repetitive gaming behaviour is often maintained due to the reward systems within the games, such as level-ups, virtual prizes, or specific achievements. These enjoyable experiences encourage children to repeat the behaviour, making gaming increasingly difficult to control. Therefore, addressing online game addiction requires not only limiting playing time but also active guidance from families and schools to ensure children continue to receive learning stimulation, social interaction, and activities that support balanced development.
Overcoming online game addiction in children requires concrete action, not just prohibition. Parents need to set clear time limits for playing while providing alternative activities that encourage direct exploration, such as sports, reading, or creative pursuits. Active guidance is also important so that children continue to receive support in developing thinking and social skills.
Schools can support these efforts by offering challenging and engaging activities, allowing children to gain a sense of achievement through real-world activities. Meanwhile, the government and policymakers need to strengthen digital literacy programmes for parents, teachers, and students to ensure that gaming is done wisely and in a balanced manner.
Online games may only last a few hours each day, but their impact can shape a child’s future for years. Therefore, the decisions we make today in guiding them will determine whether games become a tool for development or the beginning of various developmental problems.