Association Between Screen Time, Online Gaming, and Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children

Short Communication

Association Between Screen Time, Online Gaming, and Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children

Suresh Loni ¹
Pralhad Moodagi ²
Ananda ³
Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla ^4*

1Assistant Professor, Department of Child health Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

2Associate Professor and HOD, Department of Child Health Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

3Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, SDS TRC and RGICD College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

4Lecturer, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding Author: Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla, Lecturer, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

Citation: Loni S, Moodagi P, Ananda, Mulla IAA. (2026). Association Between Screen Time, Online Gaming, and Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children, International Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research, BioRes Scientia Publishers. 6(4):1-4. DOI: 10.59657/2997-6103.brs.26.135

Copyright: © 2026 Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: March 02, 2026 | Accepted: March 12, 2026 | Published: March 17, 2026

Abstract

Background: With rapid technological advancement, screen-based activities such as online gaming, video streaming, and social media use have become an integral part of children's daily lives. Excessive screen time has been associated with various behavioral problems including aggression, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and emotional difficulties among school-age children.

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the association between screen time, online gaming, and behavioral problems among school-age children.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 120 school-age children aged 6-12 years and their parents in selected schools. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, screen time and online gaming assessment tool, and a behavioral problem checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data, including Pearson correlation and chi-square tests.

Results: The findings revealed that a majority of children spent more than two hours per day on screen-based activities, particularly online gaming. A significant positive correlation was found between screen time and behavioral problem scores (p < 0.05). Children with higher screen time were more likely to exhibit aggression, hyperactivity, and attention problems.

Conclusion: Excessive screen time and online gaming are significantly associated with behavioral problems among school-age children. Parental monitoring and educational interventions are essential to regulate screen usage and promote healthy behavioral development.

Keywords: screen time; online gaming; behavioral problems; school-age children; digital media

Introduction

Technological advancements over the past decade have significantly transformed the lifestyle of children. Digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles are widely used by children for entertainment, education, and communication. Screen-based activities, particularly online gaming, have become increasingly popular among school-age children.

While digital technologies provide several benefits, excessive screen time may have negative effects on children's physical, emotional, and behavioral health. Research studies have shown that prolonged exposure to screens can contribute to attention problems, hyperactivity, aggression, sleep disturbances, and reduced social interaction.

School-age children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of excessive screen time because they are in a critical stage of cognitive and emotional development. Online gaming, especially interactive and competitive games, may increase emotional arousal and aggressive behavior in children.

Parents play an important role in regulating children's screen time and monitoring their online activities. However, due to busy lifestyles and limited awareness regarding the impact of excessive screen use, many children spend prolonged hours engaging in digital media.

Understanding the relationship between screen time, online gaming, and behavioral problems is essential for developing effective interventions to promote healthy media habits among children. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the association between screen time, online gaming, and behavioral problems among school-age children.

Review of Literature

Several studies have examined the impact of digital media use on child behavior and development. Research indicates that excessive screen time is associated with attention problems, hyperactivity, aggression, and emotional difficulties in children.

Studies on online gaming have reported that prolonged gaming can lead to behavioral issues such as irritability, impulsivity, and reduced academic performance. Interactive gaming environments may increase emotional arousal and reduce self-regulation abilities among children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational screen time to less than two hours per day for school-age children. Excessive screen exposure beyond this recommended limit has been linked to behavioral and emotional problems.

Previous research has also highlighted the importance of parental supervision and regulation of children's digital media use. Parent education and awareness programs have been found effective in promoting healthy screen habits and preventing behavioral problems.

Despite growing concerns about excessive screen use, there is limited research examining the association between screen time, online gaming, and behavioral problems among school-age children in many communities. Therefore, this study attempts to explore this relationship.

Objectives of The Study

To assess screen time and online gaming patterns among school-age children.
To assess behavioral problems among school-age children.
To determine the association between screen time and behavioral problems among children.
To determine the association between online gaming and behavioral problems among children.
To determine the association between behavioral problems and selected demographic variables.

Hypotheses

H1: There is a significant association between screen time and behavioral problems among school-age children.

H2: There is a significant association between online gaming and behavioral problems among school-age children.

Materials and Methods

Research Design

A descriptive correlational research design was adopted.

Setting

The study was conducted in selected schools.

Population

School-age children aged 6-12 years and their parents.

Sample Size

A total of 120 children and their parents participated in the study.

Sampling Technique

Purposive sampling technique was used.

Inclusion Criteria

Children aged between 6 and 12 years
Children who use digital devices for gaming or entertainment
Parents willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

Children with diagnosed psychiatric or neurological disorders
Children who do not use digital devices

Data Collection Tools

Section A: Demographic Variables

Includes age, gender, class, parental education, family type, and socioeconomic status.

Section B: Screen Time and Online Gaming Questionnaire

This section assessed

Daily screen time duration
Frequency of online gaming
Types of games played
Parental monitoring of screen use

Section C: Behavioral Problem Checklist

The checklist assessed

Aggressive behavior
Hyperactivity
Attention problems
Emotional problems
Social problems

Data Collection Procedure

Permission was obtained from school authorities before conducting the study. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent from children. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to parents and children.

Participants were asked to report their daily screen time, online gaming habits, and behavioral characteristics of the child. The collected data were compiled and analyzed.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Permission was obtained from school authorities before conducting the study. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study and written consent was obtained. Confidentiality and anonymity were maintained.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Descriptive statistics included

Frequency and percentage
Mean and standard deviation

Inferential statistics included

Pearson correlation coefficient
Chi-square test

A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Screen Time Pattern

The majority of children reported spending more than two hours per day using digital devices. Online gaming was the most common activity reported by participants.

Behavioral Problems

A considerable proportion of children demonstrated mild to moderate behavioral problems including hyperactivity, aggression, and attention difficulties.

Association Between Screen Time and Behavioral Problems

A significant positive correlation was observed between screen time and behavioral problem scores (p < 0>

Association Between Online Gaming and Behavioral Problems

Frequent online gaming was significantly associated with increased aggression and hyperactivity among children.

Discussion

The present study examined the association between screen time, online gaming, and behavioral problems among school-age children. The findings indicate that excessive screen time is associated with increased behavioral problems such as aggression, hyperactivity, and attention difficulties.

These findings are consistent with previous studies which have reported that prolonged exposure to digital media can negatively affect children's emotional and behavioral development. Interactive gaming environments may increase emotional arousal and impulsivity among children.

The study also highlights the importance of parental monitoring and regulation of children's screen time. Parents who actively supervise and limit screen usage can help prevent excessive digital media exposure and promote healthy behavioral development.

School health nurses and community health professionals can play an important role in educating parents about appropriate screen use and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among children.

Implications of The Study

Nursing Practice: Nurses can conduct awareness programs for parents regarding the impact of excessive screen time on child behavior.

Nursing Education: Nursing students should receive training in child mental health promotion and digital media awareness.

Nursing Administration: Schools can implement policies promoting healthy digital media use among students.

Nursing Research: Further studies can examine long-term effects of digital media exposure on child mental health.

Limitations

The study was limited to selected schools and relied on self-reported data. The cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal relationships.

Recommendations

Future studies can be conducted with larger samples.
Longitudinal studies can be conducted to examine long-term behavioral outcomes.
Parent education programs on healthy screen habits should be implemented.
Schools can develop guidelines for appropriate digital media use.

Conclusion

The study concluded that excessive screen time and frequent online gaming are significantly associated with behavioral problems among school-age children. Promoting responsible digital media use and increasing parental awareness are essential strategies for improving children's behavioral health and overall well-being.

References

Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations Between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being Among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from A Population-Based Study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12:271-283.
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Council on Communications and Media. (2016). Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 138(5):e20162592.
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Domingues‐Montanari, S. (2017). Clinical and Psychological Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(4):333-338.
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World Health Organization. (2020). Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior for Children. WHO.
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Przybylski, A. K., Weinstein, N. (2019). Digital Screen Time Limits and Young Children's Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from A Population-Based Study. Child Development, 90(1):e56-e65.
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Kardefelt-Winther D. (2017). Conceptualizing Internet Use Disorders: Addiction or Coping Process? Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 71(7):459-466.
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Gentile D. (2009). Pathological Video-Game Use Among Youth Ages 8 To 18: A National Study. Psychological Science, 20(5):594-602.
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