Should You Limit Video Games to Help Your Child Succeed in School?

When screen time meets schoolwork: what's really going on?

If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a lot. Homework battles at the kitchen table. The weekly parent-teacher emails. And in between, your child glued to a screen, deep into a video game world. It's natural to wonder: Could this be what's holding them back in school? Or maybe—just maybe—it's more complicated than that.

Many parents ask me whether they should limit video games so their child can focus better on school. It’s a fair question. But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends not just on how much they're playing, but what they’re playing, and why. Let’s take a deeper look.

The villain—or the scapegoat?

Video games are often blamed for poor focus, restlessness, and declining grades. But the truth is more nuanced. Yes, excessive gaming can crowd out time for homework, sleep, or physical activity. But moderate, intentional play? That’s a whole different story.

In fact, certain types of games can improve skills like logical thinking, problem-solving, and even social interaction, particularly in collaborative online environments. One study, for example, revealed that kids who play strategy games show improved decision-making and planning—skills crucial for academic tasks.

That doesn’t mean you need to hand over the controller without limits. But instead of banning games outright, consider getting curious: what kind of games is your child drawn to? Are they building virtual cities, solving mysteries, or simply passing levels with no real goal?

Signs video games might be interfering with learning

It's not just about the number of hours spent gaming—it’s about what’s being sacrificed. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

• Sleep disruptions from late-night play
• Quick mood swings or irritability when it’s time to stop playing
• Lack of motivation for schoolwork or declining grades
• Withdrawal from family time or other interests

If these sound familiar, a reshuffling of priorities might be needed. But you don’t have to go to extremes. It’s possible to create a healthy balance where games become a reward—not a routine default.

A conversation, not a crackdown

I’ve worked with many families on this delicate topic. One of the most effective strategies I’ve seen isn't punishment—it’s opening an honest, respectful conversation. Here’s what that might sound like:

“I’ve noticed you’re spending a lot of time on your game lately, and I’m wondering how you feel it’s going with school. Can we find a way to make sure you’re not feeling overwhelmed?”

That’s a radically different opening than “You're grounded from screens until your math improves.” The first approach invites them into the problem-solving process. It respects their autonomy and helps build executive functions—those critical self-regulation skills that school demands.

Creating a structure that supports both play and learning

Once you and your child agree on limits, the next step is designing a structure that makes success more likely. This might look like:

• Gaming only after homework is done (and looked over)
• Using a timer to establish reasonable play sessions
• Choosing games with creative or educational value when possible

Consider incorporating learning tools that make studying feel less like a chore. For example, if your child zones out easily during reading time, why not turn their lessons into something they want to engage with? One family I worked with discovered that their 9-year-old, who has ADHD, loved listening to stories in the car. So instead of fighting every evening over reading assignments, they used an app that turned lessons into audio adventures—complete with his name in the story. He became the hero of his own learning journey. (They happened to use the Skuli App, which also lets you convert lesson snapshots into quizzes or audio versions.) Suddenly, school wasn’t just tolerable—it was relevant and fun.

When video games help—not hurt

In some cases, video games can actually be an unexpected learning companion. Minecraft, for example, offers immersive opportunities to explore geometry, architecture, and engineering. Other games help strengthen strategic planning, memory, and attention to detail. And for introverted children or those with social anxiety, online cooperative games can offer a space to build confidence and communication skills.

But this doesn’t mean we throw out academic goals. Far from it. The key is understanding how to align your child’s interests with their school learning—so the two don’t compete, but complement.

A gentle reset, not a ban

If you’re feeling at your wit’s end, take a breath. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to pick between being the “bad cop” or giving in completely. Video games don't have to be the enemy. With clarity, communication, and the right tools, you can reset the rules without kicking off World War III at home.

It’s not about eliminating screen time. It’s about elevating learning time. And sometimes, that starts with simply finding ways to make school less of a struggle—and a bit more of a game.

Explore more insights on the relationship between gaming and school performance in our article here, where we break down what research really says.