Problematic video gaming and psychological distress among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Increased internet usage, particularly in video gaming, has been observed in recent years. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of literature on psychological distress in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature search followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Data extraction and thematic analysis were performed to explore problematic video gaming (PVG) and its association with psychological distress. Findings revealed an increase in time spent on gaming during the pandemic, with higher severity of PVG observed in adolescents. Boys were more likely to exhibit gaming addiction symptoms than girls. A bidirectional relationship between PVG and psychological distress was found. Increased screen usage was amplified during the pandemic and persisted as a lingering concern. Educators and parents play a pivotal role in monitoring children’s screen time by structuring online lessons to prevent psychological distress. Lessons drawn from the pandemic are not just retrospective but instrumental for future societal challenges.