The following is excerpted from an online article posted by MedicalXpress
Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found. McGill University researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs, or disturbed perceptions at age 13.
“Problematic gaming means having difficulty controlling one’s amount of gaming, leading to distress or problems at school or in relationships,” said lead author Vincent Paquin, Assistant Professor in McGill’s Department of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at the Jewish General Hospital.
Notably, young gamers who felt more supported at school and at home were less likely to have problematic gaming habits overall.
“For health professionals, teachers, and policymakers, our findings highlight the importance of promoting supportive social environments. It may help prevent gaming from becoming problematic,” said Paquin.
Source: MedicalXpress
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-young-gamers-higher-mental-health.html