Episode #53 | Dr Huu Kim Le - Gaming Addiction Is Real: What Every Parent and Teacher Needs to Know

Dr Huu Kim Le is an Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist specialising in internet gaming disorder and ADHD. Based in Adelaide, he founded CGI Clinic, Australia’s first telepsychiatry service dedicated to gaming-related mental health. Dr Le is a board member of the Australian Gaming and Screens Alliance and is a prominent advocate for responsible gaming. He has consulted internationally and frequently speaks at conferences on the psychological impacts of digital technology on young people. In this episode with Dr. Huu Kim Le, we dive into the hidden dangers of gaming addiction, how screens are rewiring young brains, and what parents and teachers can do to set healthy, realistic boundaries. Here are 6 key takeaways you won’t want to miss: Gaming addiction is real and it’s growing fast: Dr. Le shares how screen addiction is tearing families apart, with some children refusing school, becoming aggressive, and even experiencing suicidal thoughts due to compulsive gaming. Screens are reshaping young brains during key development years: Excessive screen time between ages 12–15 can impact the frontal lobe, reducing attention, self-control, and emotional regulation, similar to the effects of a mild brain injury. Modern games are built to be addictive: Dr. Le breaks down how game mechanics like loot boxes, daily rewards, and the “hook–habit–hobby” cycle are designed to keep kids playing and spending for as long as possible. Boundaries beat battles when it comes to screen time: He recommends tools like the TP-Link Deco M4 mesh router to automate screen limits and reduce arguments, alongside clear family agreements built on mutual understanding. Schools must step up with stronger screen policies: Without clear rules, students are gaming in class on school devices. Dr. Le explains how this deepens educational inequality and calls for a shift in school tech strategy. A meaningful real-world goal is the best protection: Young people need purpose outside of screens. Dr. Le says when kids have real-life goals they care about, they’re less likely to retreat into gaming for reward and identity.