Hooked on the Feed: Internet and Video Game Addiction Is Destroying Our Kids

Publish Date : 07/30/2025

Americans now spend nearly half of their day online, scrolling, streaming, gaming, and swiping for hours – and the consequences are devastating. Depression, anxiety, and suicide are skyrocketing, especially among young people.

We weren’t made for this. Humans are not designed to stare into screens all day, drowning in noise and dopamine spikes. Life was supposed to mean more than checking notifications, binge-watching strangers, grinding for hours to earn “achievements,” new skins, or virtual “bucks” that can only be spent on game-related items.

The internet is a tool – but it, and video games, are traps. While they can be used for good, it’s often a cesspool of rage, lust, comparison, lies, and addictive features . And the longer the user scrolls or plays, the sicker he/she becomes.

A new study found Americans with home internet spend over 10 hours a day online – split between working, watching, gaming, and scrolling. But it’s not just the time that’s damaging. It’s what it’s doing to user’s brains.

One massive global study revealed something chilling: The younger a girl gets her first smartphone, the more likely she is to have suicidal thoughts by early adulthood. Half of the girls who got a phone at age 5 or 6 reported suicidal ideation. That should stop every parent in their tracks.

And it doesn’t end there. Early smartphone ownership is linked to hallucinations, aggression, detachment, poor self-worth, and a complete meltdown of emotional resilience. A separate NIH-backed study confirmed that increased social media use directly fuels depression in preteens – especially girls.

This is a national mental health crisis.

The answer isn’t to destroy the internet or video games; but we better wake up to what it’s doing to our minds – and the minds of our children. Every parent, teacher, and leader should be asking
Is this really worth it?

Know Your Rights

We help families explore their legal options in cases of video game addiction. If you believe a game has caused harm to your child, our team can help you understand your rights.

Feel free to contact one of our digital addiction attorneys at 1-877-542-4646 or by using the nearby form if your family has suffered any adverse side effects due to video game addiction. Your information will remain confidential, and a lawyer will provide a free legal consultation.