Do you think video games and home electronics can be addictive for children?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (54997)
February 21, 2026 1:57pm CST
I've thought this for years now. Luckily, I haven't had a child who is addicted to gaming, or whatever you want to call it. Mine were active in sports, they worked and went to school, and they wouldn't have had time to play them for the hours and hours I hear that many children do.
I have a good friend with two sons. Her oldest son was rather shy and not very social. He became addicted to a game called World of Warcraft some years ago. He skipped school to play it, he stayed up all night to play it. Friend and her husband took the game and computer away. Son completely trashed his room and a nearby bathroom--torn out faucets, punched holes in walls, etc. This was very out of character for him, he was never violent. He quit school. He ran away. He came back home after a few months (his parents were frantic and there was a missing person notice filed on him) and he told them he needed help, he only wanted to play the game and nothing else. He ended up in a rehab for awhile. Did you know people go to rehab for gaming addictions? I didn't.
I read of an 11 year old who killed his father, who had taken his son's Nintendo Switch away from him at bedtime. The child evidently found the key to the cabinet he thought the device would be in, and found a gun. He killed his father. Now the child is in a jail, at 11 years old!
Do you know any children who are addicted to gaming? Or to being online on things like TikTok, Instagram, etc.? I think it's worse than ever now--the more apps there are, the more time they spend online.
Duncannon, Pennsylvania
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/11-year-old-boy-who-allegedly-murdered-his-dad-because-he-took-away-his-nintendo-switch-makes-first-court-appearance/ar-AA1WNXz0?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=699a033f657943a29a396edc35825be5&ei=93
7 people like this
6 responses
@AmbiePam (113179)
• United States
8h
That 11 year old is what came to mind when I read the title of your post. It’s really sad.
I never had a yen to play video games, but it is scary how much time kids get into these games. It may seem like harmless entertainment, but it’s absolutely not.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
7h
It’s terrifying to think of having a child who is so addicted. I know my older son has certain things blocked out and not available to his young teen sons. But to be honest they are so in to their sports that they don’t really have time for much else.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
4h
@AmbiePam
Yes, I am very glad that they enjoy their sports and are so active.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129952)
• Marion, Ohio
4h
Never knew they had rehab for it. I had super Nintendo for the kids. But they were only allowed to play so long and always had to wait until it got dark outside. I think to many parents use it as a baby sitter anymore
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
4h
I think they do, too. Slap a game console or a phone or whatever in their hands and that's the babysitter.
I guess for some, it becomes a real addiction, totally out of control like gambling is, or whatever.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372300)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
I know of kids who do just about nothing else than play games. I guess really all these addictions are indications of mental illness, especially when they get to the point where they can't control it at all.
@Deepizzaguy (118515)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
6h
I know when I was younger I did have an addiction of playing at fun arcade games before I realized that I was harming myself being addicted to playing games. I just play games for keeping my mind sharp and for exercise.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
4h
I just don't like playing them at all, not sure why. I would rather read a good book.
At least you realized you had a problem and fixed the problem, that was good.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (214412)
• United States
6h
This is horrible. When cousin #3's family was over last night the two boys took out their laptops and games to play as soon as dinner was over with. I was shocked.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
4h
Oh, I am not shocked. I am sure she uses their devices to entertain them while she works--didn't you say they are homeschooled? But I think it is rude to do that, when you are invited to someone else's home for dinner, leave the games at home.
@LooeyVille (40)
• United States
7h
Yes it's the start of the dumbing down of America.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54997)
•
7h
Kids need to play outside, go for bike rides, shoot basketballs, whatever. Not stare at a screen all day and night!
1 person likes this







