Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD

02/19/25 • 50 min

The majority of today’s adolescents are video gaming - for many, daily. How much gaming is too much ? Are violent video games actually harmful to children?

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Dr. Douglas Gentile, a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University and renowned video gaming expert. Dr. Gentile discusses the latest research on which aspects of gaming can affect child health and development, and the effects of violent media – including video games – on children’s aggressive feelings and behaviors. He also discusses the prevalence of gaming addiction and what features of games make them potentially addictive to children. Finally, Dr. Gentile explains how video games can have positive effects on social behavior and learning as well, and the power parents have to influence their children’s media use and behavioral outcomes.

In this episode, you will learn:

How the 5 “C’s” of video gaming work together to impact child behavior and health.
Why violent video games are linked to increased aggression in youth - and three major effects of violent media.
Why even “cute” animated video games can increase aggression in kids, just as realistically violent games.
How many children are struggling with gaming addiction - and how to recognize the warning signs .
When video games help children learn and encourage prosocial behavior.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

The majority of today’s adolescents are video gaming - for many, daily. How much gaming is too much ? Are violent video games actually harmful to children?

In this episode, you will learn:

How the 5 “C’s” of video gaming work together to impact child behavior and health.
Why violent video games are linked to increased aggression in youth - and three major effects of violent media.
Why even “cute” animated video games can increase aggression in kids, just as realistically violent games.
How many children are struggling with gaming addiction - and how to recognize the warning signs .
When video games help children learn and encourage prosocial behavior.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Follow Children and Screens on:

Previous Episode

Social Media, Mental Health, and Adolescent Social Dynamics with Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP

How has social media changed the way teens socialize and interact - and is it affecting their mental health?
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with researcher and Chief of Psychology of the American Psychological Association Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP. Dr. Prinstein describes his research on popularity and likeability in adolescence, and how social media factors into these social dynamics. He also explores how certain aspects of social media, such as social comparison, can yield negative mental health impacts for teens. Finally, Dr. Prinstein takes listeners beneath the surface to discuss his research on the impacts of social media on the brain, explaining how some children might be more susceptible to the negative mental health effects of social media than others, and what parents can do to prevent these effects.
In this episode you will learn:

The difference between popularity and likability - and which is linked to better life outcomes.
How social media has changed social dynamics and how these changes affect the developing brain.
What research is saying about teen social media use and the development of mental health conditions.
Conversation prompts to help adults better understand their adolescent’s social media habits and assess if they may be cause for concern.
How the relationship between social media use and sleep affects overall adolescent health and well-being.
Which uses of social media can be healthy and beneficial for adolescents.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Next Episode

Harmful Social Media Algorithms and Children with Imran Ahmed

Social media platforms are feeding youth harmful content—fast. From hate speech to pro-eating disorder posts and disinformation, powerful algorithms push dangerous content straight to children. But why? And what can be done to stop it?

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about the hidden dangers of social media algorithms, the risks youth face on various popular platforms, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in digital spaces.

In this episode, you will learn:

How quickly social media algorithms deliver harmful content to children, such as pro-eating disorder and drug content.
Why platforms are aware of this issue—but choose not to do anything about it.
The need for transparency into social media algorithms to keep children safe from harmful content.
What kind of advocacy is needed to drive stronger protections—and how recent advancements in European policies may provide a model.
The STAR framework for social media reform: Safety by design, Transparency, Accountability and Economic Responsibility.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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