Healthy Gaming For Children

Carlos, a University of Toronto Graduate and Project Coordinator for Community Violence Mapping, grew up gaming and found ways to balance work, school, and play. He started gaming at the age of 4 to bond with his brothers but over time, it became a distraction especially from school. “Near the end of my school or workday, gaming starts becoming the primary focus of my thoughts, and I feel restless,” he says. 

This is a common experience for many children. If your child feels the same way, it’s important to find strategies to help them stay focused on other tasks without completely cutting out gaming. 

One of the best ways is to help children develop better time management skills. Carlos shared that he uses a calendar or planner to help him prioritize school and other responsibilities. “Having a visual reminder keeps me on track,” he says.  

“I also schedule other hobbies or activities to fill my free time instead of gaming,” Carlos adds. Helping children plan their day by balancing time for school, chores, hobbies, and gaming can provide structure and keep distractions at bay. 

Keeping gaming consoles and devices out of sight while working is another key strategy that works for Carlos. “If I see the console, I get distracted,” he explains. This reduces distractions and makes it easier for children to stay on track with schoolwork or other tasks. 

SickKids Foundation recommend no screen time for 0-2 years, a maximum of 1 hour daily for 2-4 years, and no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time for 5-17 years. 

Carlos credits his parents with helping him manage his gaming time. “They made sure school came before gaming,” he says. Gaming wasn’t banned, but it was seen as a reward for accomplishing school tasks or other responsibilities, rather than an automatic right. This approach helped Carlos stay motivated and focused on schoolwork while still enjoying his favorite hobby. 

Looking for online games that are more than just fun? TVO Kids provides free educational games and engaging programming for younger kids (2-11) to learn while playing. Meanwhile, TVO Learn offers fun online learning materials for teens (Grades 9-12), all created by education and media professionals. 

Parents can encourage kids to use educational gaming to deepen learning, explore new subjects, or support current studies.  

Violent games, addictive games, and those with gambling elements should be avoided. Games with bad language, inappropriate content, or too much screen time can negatively affect children. By monitoring game choices, parents can ensure a healthy balance between fun and safety. 

In the end, it’s all about balance. By setting clear expectations, maintaining open communication, encouraging time management, and ensuring that games are age-appropriate, your child can enjoy gaming without letting it interfere with their responsibilities. It’s not about taking gaming away—it’s about helping them learn to balance their priorities.