Gaming Addiction Warning Signs

This interactive assessment requires JavaScript to function. The quiz evaluates these key warning signs:

Gaming more than 2-4 hours on weekdays
Major conflict when asked to stop gaming
Lost interest in activities they used to enjoy
Sleep disruption from late-night gaming
Mood swings linked to gaming access
Lying or hiding gaming behaviour
Declining school performance

If you're seeing multiple signs, visit the Gaming Help page or book a session to discuss your situation.

2-Minute Assessment

Is Your Child's Gaming a Problem?

Answer 8 quick questions to understand where your child falls on the gaming spectrum — from healthy engagement to warning signs. If you're co-parenting, answer based on what you observe in your own household.

Question 1 of 8 0%

Question 1 of 8

On a typical weekday, how long does your child spend gaming?

Less than 1 hour

1-2 hours

2-4 hours

4+ hours or "I'm not sure"

Question 2 of 8

When it's time to stop gaming, what usually happens?

They stop without much fuss

Some negotiation, but manageable

Regular arguments or meltdowns

Major conflict every time

Question 3 of 8

Has gaming replaced your child's interest in other activities?

No — they still enjoy other things

Somewhat — a few interests have faded

Noticeably — they only want to game

Almost everything else has been replaced

Question 4 of 8

Is gaming affecting your child's sleep?

No sleep issues

Occasionally stays up late

Regularly loses sleep to gaming

Gaming at night is a constant battle

Question 5 of 8

How does your child's mood change around gaming?

Fairly stable before/during/after

Irritable when asked to stop

Angry or withdrawn when not gaming

Extreme mood swings linked to gaming

Question 6 of 8

How open is your child about their gaming?

Very open — they tell me what they're playing

Generally open, with occasional vagueness

I often discover gaming I didn't know about

They actively hide their gaming from me

Question 7 of 8

Is gaming affecting schoolwork or responsibilities?

No impact

Minor issues occasionally

Regular problems with homework or chores

Significant decline in grades or responsibilities

Question 8 of 8

How worried are you about your child's gaming?

Just curious — things seem fine

A bit concerned — want to prevent problems

Quite worried — something feels wrong

Very worried — we're in crisis

Manageable Range

Based on These Questions, Things Look Manageable

Your responses don't show the typical warning signs of gaming addiction. That's reassuring — but it doesn't mean your concerns aren't valid.

You're here because something prompted you to search. Maybe it's a gut feeling. Maybe you want to prevent problems before they start. Maybe gaming is fine now but you're watching it creep up. Trust that instinct — it's usually right.

Gaming can shift quickly, especially during school holidays, after a new game release, or as children reach secondary age. What's manageable today can become a problem within months.

Daniel's Note

"This quiz captures common warning signs, but every family is different. If something still feels off to you — even if it didn't show up in these specific questions — that matters. Prevention is always easier than intervention. And you know your child better than any quiz."

Explore Gaming Boundaries & Setup Guides

Want personalised guidance for your specific situation?

Book a Prevention Session — £75

Your Position on the Spectrum

0 Manageable Warning Serious 24

Your score: 0 out of 24

Warning Signs Present

You're Not Overreacting: These Are Real Warning Signs

Your responses show patterns that many families experience — the daily battles, the mood changes, the creeping sense that something's shifted. This isn't full addiction, but it's also not nothing.

The good news: this is exactly the stage where intervention works best. Before habits become dependencies. Before conflict becomes the norm.

Daniel's Note

"Most families I work with are in this zone — worried enough to search for answers, unsure if it's 'bad enough' to get help. It is. This is the window where small changes make the biggest difference. I've been where your child is, and I can help you understand what's really going on."

"If your child has ADHD, autism, or other additional needs, some of these patterns may overlap with neurodivergent traits — and that's something we'd work through together. The approach for SEN children is different, and I've worked with many."

Book a Session — £75 Read more about gaming warning signs

Your Position on the Spectrum

0 Manageable Warning Serious 24

Your score: 0 out of 24

Serious Concern

Your Concerns Are Valid: This Needs Attention

Your responses indicate gaming has become a significant issue in your family. The patterns you're describing — the conflict, the withdrawal, the impact on other areas of life — are signs that gaming has moved beyond healthy engagement.

This isn't about blame. Games are designed by thousands of engineers to be irresistible. Your child isn't weak — they're facing technology built to keep them playing. But they need help finding their way back.

Daniel's Note

"I know exactly what your child is experiencing because I lived it. I lost months of my life to gaming — I wouldn't start my day until I'd won a competitive match, even if it took eight games. I understand the pull, the escape, the anger when someone tries to take it away. And I know what actually works to change it — not lectures, not bans, but understanding."

"If you've tried parental controls, time limits, or even therapy before and nothing worked — that's not because you failed. Most approaches treat the symptom without addressing the underlying reasons for the escape. That's what we'll focus on."

"And if your child has ADHD, autism, or other additional needs — the approach is different, and I've worked with many neurodivergent children. We'd factor that in from day one."

Book a Session Now — £75 Read Daniel's gaming addiction story

Your Position on the Spectrum

0 Manageable Warning Serious 24

Your score: 0 out of 24

Featured in The Washington Post

Recovered Gaming Addict

1,000+ Families Helped

About This Assessment

This 2-minute assessment evaluates 8 key indicators of gaming addiction in children: gaming duration, stopping difficulty, interest displacement, sleep impact, mood changes, honesty about gaming, impact on responsibilities, and your gut feeling as a parent. Created by Daniel Towle, a recovered gaming addict with 12 years helping families in schools.

Assessment by Daniel Towle • Recovered gaming addict • 12 years in schools • Featured in The Washington Post

Why Take This Assessment?

Most parents searching for a gaming addiction quiz already sense something is wrong. The daily battles. The mood swings. The feeling you've lost them to a screen.

This assessment won't give you a clinical diagnosis — only a professional can do that. But it will help you understand where your child falls on the spectrum from healthy engagement to serious concern. The 8 questions are based on patterns I've observed in thousands of children over 12 years as Head of Technology in UK schools — and from my own experience recovering from gaming addiction.

Your results are immediate and private. Read the full gaming help guide for more information.

Common Questions

How do I know if my child is addicted to gaming?

Warning signs include difficulty stopping, lost interest in other activities, sleep disruption, mood swings, lying about gaming, and declining school performance. This assessment evaluates 8 key indicators.

What's the difference between gaming addiction and just enjoying games?

Healthy gaming complements life. Addiction replaces it — affecting sleep, relationships, school, and mood. The key question: can they stop when needed without major conflict?

Is this assessment clinically validated?

This assessment is based on patterns observed over 12 years working with children in schools, not clinical diagnosis. For formal diagnosis, consult a mental health professional.

What happens after I complete the assessment?

You'll receive one of three results: Healthy Engagement, Warning Signs Present, or Serious Concern. Each includes guidance and the option to book a session for personalised help.

How accurate is a 2-minute quiz?

No quiz replaces professional assessment. But these 8 questions identify patterns observed in thousands of children over 12 years. Multiple warning signs are worth taking seriously.

Last updated: December 2025