Parental Control over Child Video Game Use: A Systematic Review of Parental Opinions and their Impact on Family Relationships

Parents face challenges in their children’s education, including the use of video games. While offering benefits, concerns about mental and physical health and academic performance lead some parents to set usage rules, often causing conflicts. This study evaluates parental opinions, the extent of parental control, and its impact on family relationships.

Using a systematic approach, 518 articles from Scopus and WOS databases (2000–April 2025) were screened for data quality, relevance, mediation strategies, parental opinions, and the impact of video games on families. Only 16 articles were analyzed after being selected using the PRISMA 2020 and CASP checklists to minimize bias.

Parental control over children’s video game use mainly involves restrictive strategies like rule-setting and content bans, often due to concerns about addiction and violence, leading to reduced communication and increased parent-child conflict. Less common interactive methods, such as co-playing and active mediation, can enhance family cohesion. Parental perspectives vary; some recognize the social and cognitive benefits, promoting less restrictive and more engaging approaches. The impact of parental control on family dynamics depends on the quality of the relationship.

The review highlights that strict parental controls, though common, often create family tension, particularly with teenagers, due to their authoritarian nature. Co-playing fosters better family bonding and communication. Parental perceptions, shaped by both cultural and individual factors, influence the control styles they employ. Positive perspectives encourage involvement. These findings challenge traditional mediation models and support autonomy-promoting approaches.

Parents should avoid overly restrictive control over video games, striking a balance between concerns about children’s vulnerability and interactive methods, such as gatekeeping, discursive mediation, and investigative efforts. Further research on the social, academic, and economic impacts of video games, children’s developmental stages, and their potential to strengthen family bonds will guide parents and families.