The recent shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte has renewed concerns about the possible link between violent video games and real-world aggression. But according to pediatrician and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Paul Lawrence Filomeno of Makati Medical Center, gaming-related violence cannot be attributed to a game alone.
Dr. Filomeno describes gaming violence as a multisystemic and complex issue, influenced by several factors, including a child’s home and school environment, social pressures, bullying, and cultural and family attitudes toward violence. While certain games may contribute to violent behavior, he stresses that violence generally results from an accumulation of risk factors.
When Gaming Becomes a Problem
Spending long hours playing does not automatically mean that a child has a gaming disorder. Some children may play for several hours and still function normally, while others may spend less time gaming but experience significant effects on their behavior, relationships, or academics.
Dr. Filomeno identifies three major red flags:
- Loss of control – A child is unable to stop playing or prioritizes gaming over responsibilities such as homework and schoolwork.
- Functional impairment – Gaming begins to interfere with sleep, eating, hygiene, school, hobbies, or relationships.
- Difficulty in stopping – Gaming contributes to failing grades, skipping classes, or sacrificing money and belongings to continue playing.
Families Play a Key Role
Treating gaming disorder requires a multidisciplinary approach involving guidance counselors, pediatricians, child psychologists, and addiction specialists. But Dr. Filomeno emphasizes that the family remains the first component of the healthcare team.
Parents, he says, need to model the behavior they expect from their children. If parents want children to develop healthier gadget and gaming habits, they should also demonstrate those habits themselves.
The “6S” Guide for Parents
Dr. Filomeno recommends that parents monitor six areas to understand how gaming may be affecting their children:
- Sleep – Is gaming interfering with healthy sleep?
- Safety – Is the child interacting safely with others online?
- Self-regulation – Does the child turn to gaming whenever they experience difficult emotions?
- School – Has gaming affected academic performance?
- Social connection – Is the child maintaining healthy interactions with others?
- Security – Are parents aware of what their child is doing online?
The goal, he says, is not necessarily an immediate and drastic reduction in gaming. Progress can happen gradually. Even reducing gaming from eight hours to seven hours can be considered a meaningful step.
Ultimately, addressing problematic gaming requires patience, parental involvement, and realistic expectations rather than simply removing a particular game.