Gaming and Boys: Guiding Healthy, Mindful Use of Technology

How Gaming is Shaping a Generation of Boys … for Better and Worse

As the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) prepares for the Northeast Conference in Burlington, VT (Nov. 3 – 4), one of the most important national conversations continues to grow louder – the struggles and strengths of adolescents and families in today’s digital world, including gaming.

NATSAP recently shared a powerful New York Times article, “How Video Games are Shaping a Generation of Boys, for Better and Worse,” which explores how gaming is transforming the way boys connect, learn and cope – both positively and negatively.

It details both the benefits and concerns surrounding gaming culture among adolescent boys.

According to national data from the American Time Use Survey, boys and young men ages 15 – 24 have more than doubled their average time gaming over the past decade and a half, from about 4 hours to nearly 10 hours a week. The increase was the largest of any activity measured, surpassing time spent on sports, jobs or even hanging out with friends and family. For others, it can replace vital activities such as exercise, in-person friendships, school engagement and sleep.

Researchers are finding that video games meet key developmental needs – competence, autonomy and connection – especially for boys who may feel adrift or disconnected offline. Yet, as games have become more immersive and “free-to-play,” their design has also become more addictive, often leading to excessive use and even dependency.

Parents face a tough challenge: balancing the benefits of gaming with its potential to isolate and overstimulate. Experts agree that banning games isn’t the solution – rather, it’s about guiding healthy, mindful use.

As one researcher quoted in the article said …

How Cherokee Creek Boys School Approaches Technology and Gaming

At Cherokee Creek Boys School, we understand how deeply technology shapes modern adolescence – and how vital it is to teach balance, responsibility and self-awareness. Our students have limited access to technology while on campus, giving them the space to reconnect with nature, peers and themselves.

For Students

Our Digital Citizenship Curriculum helps boys learn how to use technology in healthy, safe and balanced ways. Through group discussions, outdoor activities and guided reflection, they practice connecting with people – not just screens – and rediscover the joy of real-world play, teamwork and adventure.

For Families

We also support parents in building healthier tech habits at home. Through family workshops and coaching, we help families create clear, shared guidelines for screen use that strengthen, rather than strain, relationships. Parents and students have opportunities to practice these new skills during campus visits, preparing them to reestablish healthy rhythms when their sons returns home.

Our goal is not to eliminate technology, but to reclaim its role as a tool for learning, creativity and connection … not escape. This is done individually with each family as their preferences and needs vary.

As we gather with colleagues at the NATSAP Northeast Conference, this discussion reminds us all that the digital world can both help and hinder boys’ development. The challenge … and opportunity … lies in helping our students navigate it with courage, wisdom and love.

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