Video Game Health

Child Development

6 Things "Toy Story 5" Gets Right About Kids and Technology

Andrew Fishman LCSW on July 6, 2026

Pixar's new movie explores the impact of technology on children. What does the research say?

Pixar's new movie explores the impact of technology on children. What does the research say?

Social Media

Social Media Companies Fined for Harming User

Andrew Fishman LCSW on April 6, 2026

What could make a platform like Facebook or YouTube harmful to its users?

What could make a platform like Facebook or YouTube harmful to its users?

Parenting

Roblox Isn't a Game

Andrew Fishman LCSW on November 12, 2025

Roblox is one of the most popular pastimes for children and teens. Why is it being sued for exposing children to harm and how can you protect your kids?

Roblox is one of the most popular pastimes for children and teens. Why is it being sued for exposing children to harm and how can you protect your kids?

Video Game Addiction

Do Video Games Cause Attention Problems?

Andrew Fishman LCSW on October 19, 2025

Are video games to blame for attention problems in kids?

Are video games to blame for attention problems in kids?

Video Game Addiction

We Don't Actually Know Anything About Video Games

Andrew Fishman LCSW on August 10, 2025

Many studies about how video games affect us have a major flaw: People are bad at estimating how much time they actually play.

Many studies about how video games affect us have a major flaw: People are bad at estimating how much time they actually play.

Trauma

Can Playing Tetris Make Trauma Easier to Manage?

Andrew Fishman LCSW on December 9, 2024

Research suggests that playing a video game could actually help reduce some symptoms of trauma.

Research suggests that playing a video game could actually help reduce some symptoms of trauma.

Video Game Addiction

Video Games Are Not "Digital Drugs"

Andrew Fishman LCSW on September 15, 2024

Research suggests that doctors can help patients reduce pain by giving them virtual reality games to play during medical procedures. Should we be worried?

Research suggests that doctors can help patients reduce pain by giving them virtual reality games to play during medical procedures. Should we be worried?

Education

Video Games Can Help Kids Learn to Read

Andrew Fishman LCSW on March 24, 2024

Are video games always a waste of time? Can children really benefit from staring at a screen?

Are video games always a waste of time? Can children really benefit from staring at a screen?

Video Game Addiction

Why Some Video Games Are So Hard to Stop Playing

Andrew Fishman LCSW on January 15, 2024

"Infinite" video games are designed to keep you hooked. Switching to "finite" games could help you find balance in your life.

"Infinite" video games are designed to keep you hooked. Switching to "finite" games could help you find balance in your life.

Parenting

Preparing for the Conversation About Screen Time Rules

Andrew Fishman LCSW on December 24, 2023

Most parenting blogs recommend setting a two-hour-per-day time limit on all screens for minors. Is that what's best for your children?

Most parenting blogs recommend setting a two-hour-per-day time limit on all screens for minors. Is that what's best for your children?

Internet Addiction

How to Set Screen Time Rules for Your Family

Andrew Fishman LCSW on December 23, 2023

Most parenting blogs recommend setting a two-hour-per-day time limit on all screens for minors. Is that what's best for your children?

Most parenting blogs recommend setting a two-hour-per-day time limit on all screens for minors. Is that what's best for your children?

Video Game Addiction

The Argument Against Video Game Addiction

Andrew Fishman LCSW on July 3, 2023

Can you really be addicted to video games? Here's why many mental health professionals are skeptical about the diagnosis.

Can you really be addicted to video games? Here's why many mental health professionals are skeptical about the diagnosis.

Addiction

The Argument for Video Game Addiction

Andrew Fishman LCSW on July 2, 2023

Can people really be addicted to video games? Why many mental health professionals believe it is possible.

Can people really be addicted to video games? Why many mental health professionals believe it is possible.

Friends

Why So Many Teens Use Video Games to Meet Others

Andrew Fishman LCSW on April 3, 2023

Why are so many young people using video games to make friends? Often, it's because they have nowhere else to go.

Why are so many young people using video games to make friends? Often, it's because they have nowhere else to go.

Gender

How Gamers Use Video Games to Explore Their Gender Identity

Andrew Fishman LCSW on February 20, 2023

Games offer a safe place to "try on" other genders and see if they resonate. Here's why games can be such a powerful tool for better understanding ourselves.

Games offer a safe place to "try on" other genders and see if they resonate. Here's why games can be such a powerful tool for better understanding ourselves.

Career

How One Video Gamer Learned to Play With Her Thoughts

Andrew Fishman LCSW on February 6, 2023

An online video game streamer has modified a portable brain scanner to play video games with her thoughts. How does it work?

An online video game streamer has modified a portable brain scanner to play video games with her thoughts. How does it work?

Sleep

How to Help Kids Decide to Spend Less Time Playing Video Games

Andrew Fishman LCSW on December 13, 2022

How can therapists help their clients understand that they're spending too much time playing video games?

How can therapists help their clients understand that they're spending too much time playing video games?

Flow

Why It's So Hard to Walk Away From a Video Game

Andrew Fishman LCSW on November 7, 2022

Why is it so hard to turn off a video game at the end of the night? What can we do when we spend hours telling ourselves "just one more minute and then I'll stop"?

Why is it so hard to turn off a video game at the end of the night? What can we do when we spend hours telling ourselves "just one more minute and then I'll stop"?

Motivation

Study Suggests Video Games Do Not Impact Well-Being

Andrew Fishman LCSW on August 15, 2022

A study of nearly 40,000 people concluded that video games did not affect how much people were satisfied with their lives. Is the study right?

A study of nearly 40,000 people concluded that video games did not affect how much people were satisfied with their lives. Is the study right?

Play

Why I Play Video Games With My Therapy Clients

Andrew Fishman LCSW on March 7, 2022

I play video games with many of my clients. Why would that help people who want support?

I play video games with many of my clients. Why would that help people who want support?