Here’s a startling fact: Teenagers are increasingly falling into the trap of gaming addiction, and it’s not just about the games themselves—it’s about the emotional void they’re trying to fill. A recent study has uncovered a troubling connection between stress, loneliness, and the rising risk of game addiction among adolescents, even as the world moves past the acute phases of the pandemic. But here’s where it gets controversial: while many assume gaming addiction is solely a product of lockdown boredom, the data suggests it’s far more complex—and the roots of this issue may lie in deeper psychosocial struggles that persist long after restrictions have lifted.
The Study’s Eye-Opening Findings
A correlational analysis of 346 high school students in Bangkok, conducted between November and December 2022, revealed that gaming habits remained alarmingly prevalent even after COVID-19 was reclassified under Thailand’s surveillance system. Over 87% of teens reported gaming regularly, with nearly 40% playing daily. More concerning, 15% were at risk of game addiction, and 4.4% met the criteria for full-blown addiction. While stress showed a positive correlation with gaming addiction, loneliness emerged as an even stronger predictor. This suggests that feelings of isolation and disconnection may drive compulsive gaming behaviors, even when pandemic restrictions are no longer in place. And this is the part most people miss: the issue isn’t just about screen time—it’s about the emotional and social voids teens are trying to fill.
The Role of Resilience: A Game-Changer?
One of the study’s most hopeful findings was the negative correlation between resilience and gaming addiction. Across all subscales—external support, inner strength, and interpersonal problem-solving—resilience acted as a protective factor. While this study wasn’t interventional, it strongly implies that building resilience could be a powerful tool in preventing gaming addiction. For U.S. clinicians and mental health professionals, this aligns with strengths-based counseling models. Incorporating resilience screening into routine assessments for depression, anxiety, and suicidality could help identify teens vulnerable to maladaptive digital coping mechanisms, such as excessive gaming.
Clinical Takeaways for U.S. Practitioners
The study’s timing is crucial: it captures behaviors during the post-pandemic stabilization phase, not just during lockdowns. This highlights the need for targeted prevention programs, not only for future crises but also for addressing current challenges. Pediatricians, family medicine providers, and school-based care teams can play a pivotal role by integrating brief discussions about stress, loneliness, and gaming habits into digital hygiene consultations. For instance, asking teens about the purpose or frequency of their gaming could open doors to deeper conversations about their emotional well-being.
A Controversial Question for You
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Could gaming addiction be a symptom of a larger societal issue—one where teens lack meaningful connections and healthy coping mechanisms? Or is it simply a matter of self-control and parental oversight? The study invites us to consider the role of emotional support and resilience in shaping digital habits. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could help us better understand and address this growing concern.
Reference: Attasara P et al. Perceived Stress, Loneliness, and Resilience in Relation to Game Addiction Among Adolescents in Bangkok During the COVID-19 Pandemic Transition Period. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs. 2025;38(4):e70044.
Note: This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).