Scoping review: Online video games and mental health among school-going children in Africa

Introduction Online video gaming is increasingly popular among school-aged children in Africa, driven by expanding internet penetration and mobile technology access. While gaming may offer cognitive and social benefits, concerns persist regarding its potential psychological and behavioural consequences—particularly within African contexts that are underrepresented in existing research. Purpose This scoping review aimed to synthesise current evidence on the mental health implications of online video gaming among school-going children in Africa. Both positive and negative effects were examined, with a focus on mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, social interaction, cognitive development, and behavioural challenges. Methods The review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) protocol. Systematic searches were conducted in AJOL, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles, theses, and reports published between 2010 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised studies involving African school-aged children (10–18 years), examining online gaming’s effects on mental health, and published in English or French. Thirty-eight articles met the criteria for inclusion. Results The findings revealed both beneficial and harmful outcomes associated with online gaming. Positive effects included enhanced cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, peer connectedness, and stress relief. Conversely, excessive gaming was linked to anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, cyberbullying, and gaming addiction. These impacts were moderated by contextual factors such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural perceptions, and regulatory gaps. Conclusion Online gaming among African schoolchildren presents a double-edged sword for mental health. While benefits exist, they are offset by serious risks when gaming becomes excessive or unregulated. Culturally relevant policies, parental involvement, and school-based awareness are recommended to support healthy gaming behaviours. Future research—particularly longitudinal studies—is needed to inform context-sensitive interventions and policy development across the continent.