Many parents worry when they see their children playing video games for hours. News headlines often talk about addiction, violent games, or too much screen time. Because of this, video games are sometimes blamed for causing problems in young people. But scientists are now discovering a more interesting and balanced story. In certain situations, video games may actually help improve mental health in children and teenagers. Recent studies suggest that specially designed video games can help reduce symptoms of conditions like ADHD and depression. These games are not ordinary entertainment games. They are built carefully by researchers and psychologists to include mental health exercises inside the gameplay.
How Video Games Are Being Used to Support Mental Health
Researchers studied 27 clinical trials from different countries to understand how video games might affect mental health. These trials included 2,911 participants between the ages of six and seventeen. About half of the participants were boys and half were girls. In these studies, some children played therapeutic video games while others followed normal care or non therapeutic activities. The games were played on computers, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. Most sessions lasted between 20 and 45 minutes and were played several times each week.
When scientists combined the results from these trials, they noticed small but clear improvements in children who used the therapeutic games. The strongest improvements appeared in symptoms related to ADHD and depression. The improvement was not dramatic, but it was measurable. In clinical research, these results are described as modest. Even so, small improvements can still matter. Many children in these studies had limited access to traditional therapy. For them, digital tools may provide helpful support. This research shows that video games can be more than just entertainment. When designed carefully, they can also act as tools that support mental health.
Why Therapeutic Video Games Can Be Helpful
Therapeutic games are video games designed specifically to support mental, emotional, or physical health. Unlike regular entertainment games, these games are created by psychologists, medical researchers, and developers to include treatment principles inside gameplay. Therapeutic games work because they use several psychological ideas at the same time. Games naturally encourage focus, persistence, and problem solving. These skills are also important in many mental health treatments.
For example, some games designed for ADHD train attention. Players might need to track several objects on the screen or quickly switch their focus between tasks. These activities are similar to exercises used in cognitive training programs that help strengthen attention and executive function. Games designed to support depression often include story based challenges. Players solve problems, make decisions, and see positive outcomes from their actions. This can reinforce healthier thinking patterns and encourage motivation.
Another important feature of games is immediate feedback. Players receive points, rewards, or new levels when they complete tasks. This quick feedback can motivate children to keep trying even when a challenge feels difficult. Games can also create a mental state called “flow.” Flow happens when someone becomes deeply focused on an activity that is challenging but still achievable. During this state, people feel fully engaged and lose track of time. Psychologists believe this type of focused attention can improve mood and reduce negative thinking. Many children also enjoy games because they feel less like formal therapy. Instead of sitting in a clinic, they can complete mental exercises while playing at home. This can make them more willing to participate in activities that support their mental health.
Why Not All Video Games Have the Same Effect
Even though the research shows positive signs, it does not mean every video game improves mental health. The studies focused on games that were designed specifically for therapy. Many regular entertainment games have not been tested in clinical studies. Researchers also found that video games did not consistently reduce anxiety symptoms. One reason may be that anxiety disorders are more complex. They often involve strong emotional and physical reactions that may require more specialized treatment. Another challenge is that the studies used different ways to measure results. Some relied on reports from children or parents instead of professional clinical assessments. Others measured different symptoms, which makes comparisons harder.
Because of these differences, scientists say the evidence is still developing. Digital mental health research is a relatively new field, and many studies involve small groups of participants or short time periods. At the same time, the research is becoming more important because mental health challenges among young people are rising. In many countries, a large number of children and teenagers experience mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Unfortunately, there are often not enough mental health professionals to meet the demand for treatment.
This shortage has encouraged researchers to explore digital tools that can reach more people. Video games are especially promising because they are easy to distribute through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Still, experts emphasize that therapeutic video games should support traditional care rather than replace it. Professional therapists provide guidance, diagnosis, and emotional support that digital tools cannot fully replace. There are also risks when gaming becomes excessive. Spending too much time playing can lead to sleep problems, less physical activity, or unhealthy habits. Because of these risks, the World Health Organization has recognized gaming disorder as a behavioral condition linked to loss of control over gaming habits.
The key idea from current research is balance. Video games can help mental health when they are structured, designed for therapy, and used in moderate amounts. Scientists are now continuing to study how games can support emotional skills, resilience, and social connection. Larger studies will help researchers learn which types of games work best and which children benefit the most. For now, the evidence shows that video games are not simply good or bad. Like many technologies, their impact depends on how they are designed and how they are used. In the right setting, playing a game may offer more than fun. It may also help young people build skills that support their mental well being.
FAQs on Video Games Help Kids With ADHD
Q: Can video games improve mental health in children and teenagers?
A: Yes, some specially designed video games can help improve mental health in children and teenagers. Studies analyzing 27 clinical trials with over 2,900 participants found modest improvements in symptoms of ADHD and depression when therapeutic games were used regularly. These games work by training attention, encouraging positive thinking, and teaching coping skills through gameplay.
Q: What are therapeutic video games and how do they work?
A: Therapeutic video games are digital games designed to support mental or physical health rather than just entertainment. They include elements from psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, attention training, and emotional regulation exercises. While playing, users practice skills like focus, problem solving, and emotional control in an interactive environment.
Q: Which mental health conditions can therapeutic games help treat?
A: Therapeutic games are commonly used to support conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, and sometimes anxiety or emotional regulation challenges. Research suggests these games can help improve attention, reduce sadness, and teach coping strategies. However, their effects are usually moderate and they work best alongside professional treatment.
Q: Are there real medical video games approved for treatment?
A: Yes, some therapeutic games have been tested in clinical studies and even approved for medical use. One example is EndeavorRx, a video game designed to improve attention in children with ADHD. It became the first video game cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a prescription treatment for children aged 8 to 12.
Q: Are therapeutic games better than traditional therapy?
A: Therapeutic games are not meant to replace professional therapy. Instead, they are designed to support existing treatments and make mental health exercises more engaging, especially for children and teenagers. Many experts view them as an additional tool that can be used while waiting for therapy or alongside clinical care.
Q: Do regular entertainment video games provide the same mental health benefits?
A: Not necessarily. Most research showing mental health benefits focuses on games specifically designed with therapeutic goals. Regular entertainment games may provide relaxation or social interaction, but their psychological effects vary widely depending on the type of game, playtime, and the individual player.
Q: How long should children play therapeutic games for mental health benefits?
A: In most research studies, therapeutic games are played in short and structured sessions. Sessions typically last about 20 to 45 minutes and occur a few times each week. This controlled approach helps maintain engagement without causing excessive screen time.
Q: Why can some video games help improve attention and mood?
A: Video games often require players to concentrate, respond quickly, and solve challenges. These activities train cognitive skills such as sustained attention and executive functioning. Many games also provide rewards and progress systems that encourage motivation and persistence, which can support positive mood.
Q: Are there risks associated with using video games for mental health?
A: Yes, excessive gaming can lead to sleep problems, reduced physical activity, and unhealthy habits if not managed properly. This is why therapeutic gaming programs usually recommend structured play sessions and supervision. Balance and moderation are important for healthy gaming.
Q: What is the future of therapeutic video games in mental health care?
A: Researchers are increasingly exploring therapeutic games as part of digital mental health solutions. Because games can be delivered through smartphones and computers, they may help expand access to psychological support. Future studies are expected to explore how game design, social interaction, and long term use affect mental health outcomes.
External Resources:
- Cahill TJ, Cummings JJ, Wertz E. Motivations for the use of games in coping and emotional regulation. Frontiers in Communication. 2025 Dec 5;10:1585586. Doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2025.1585586.
- Kowal M, Conroy E, Ramsbottom N, Smithies T, Toth A, Campbell M. Gaming your mental health: A narrative review on mitigating symptoms of depression and anxiety using commercial video games. JMIR serious games. 2021 Jun 16;9(2):e26575. Doi: 10.2196/26575.
- News & Stories by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Gaming for Mental Health. Published on 11/12/2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2024/11/gaming-for-mental-health
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