Parents’ concerns over children’s gaming time may be misplaced, researcher says

Nearly 70 percent of Danish parents worry about the time their children spend on digital games, according to a new survey by Epinion for DR, NIMBI, and the Media Council for Children and Youth. But a leading researcher argues the focus should shift from hours played to the reasons behind the play.

Rune K. L. Nielsen, an associate professor of computer game psychology at IT University of Copenhagen, said the survey’s findings reflect common parental fears that excessive gaming could narrow children’s lives or isolate them from real-world experiences. Yet research shows no direct link between time spent gaming and a child’s well-being.

“There are children who game extensively and thrive, just as there are children who game extensively and struggle,” Nielsen said. Instead of monitoring screen time, he urged parents to examine why their children play—and how they feel afterward.

Social interaction through gaming can offer benefits, Nielsen noted, particularly when children play online with friends. “If a child is healthy, happy, and socially engaged, there’s generally no cause for concern.” The critical factor, he said, is whether gaming serves as a form of social connection or as an escape.

Paradoxically, the survey suggests that children of highly concerned parents often fare better. “Parents who worry tend to be more engaged, which typically correlates with better child well-being,” Nielsen said. “In that sense, widespread concern is actually a positive sign.”

The 2026 study, the third of its kind since 2020, marks the first time researchers included parental perspectives alongside children’s gaming habits.