How Can I Get My Teenager to Reduce Gaming While Studying?

Asked by Anonymous on our Parent Webinar series.

Struggling to convince your teenager to cut back on gaming time while studying for exams? You’re not alone! Many parents face this challenge, and the key lies in guiding your teen to make the decision themselves rather than enforcing strict rules. This approach not only fosters self-discipline and self-control but also equips them with life skills they’ll use long after their school years.

Here are four effective tips to help strike a balance between study time and gaming:

1. Set Clear Goals for the Year

Help your child define their academic goals. Ask them:

• What ATAR or grades are they aiming for?

• What degree or career do they want to pursue?

• Which university or college do they aspire to attend?

These goals give their study efforts purpose and serve as motivation. Visual reminders—like a poster of their dream university or a list of goals—can keep their aspirations top of mind and encourage them to self-regulate gaming time.

2. Set Specific Exam Goals

Break long-term goals into short-term objectives, such as specific marks for upcoming exams. This combination of big-picture motivation and immediate milestones helps maintain focus and drive during revision.

3. Remove the Temptation to Reduce Gaming Time While Studying

Keep the Xbox physically separate from study spaces. If possible, relocate it to another room or temporarily remove it during exam periods. Proximity often leads to temptation, so out of sight, out of mind!

4. Introduce a Reward System

Total denial of Xbox time can backfire, increasing your teen’s desire to play. Instead, allow it as a reward for completing study goals. For example: “If you revise for two hours tonight, you can play Xbox for 30 minutes afterward.” Ensure gaming is a post-study activity, not something they do before starting, as this could derail the rest of their revision plans.

Building Self-Discipline

Ultimately, this process is about helping your teen learn to manage their own time. When they understand the connection between effort and results—whether through achieving goals or enjoying guilt-free gaming—they’ll develop the discipline they need to succeed, both academically and beyond.

By focusing on their aspirations and providing structured guidance, you can help them strike the perfect balance between revision and relaxation.

For more advice on helping your child to balance schoolwork with the things they want to do, take a look at our Crash Course on Study Timetables.