In 2025, gaming addiction among children and teenagers remains a key challenge for Thailand’s mental health system. Following past tragedies, including violent incidents linked to excessive online gaming, the government, Ministry of Public Health, and tech industry have united to create a comprehensive system of prevention, monitoring, and rehabilitation.
According to the Department of Mental Health (DMH), approximately 12.3% of adolescents aged 13–18 suffer from pathological gaming — a disorder recognized by the WHO as Gaming Disorder. Among university students, this rises to 15–18%, especially in technical and IT fields.
Government Measures 2025
Since 2023, the National Strategy on Gaming Addiction Prevention has been in effect, including:
- Mandatory age verification: all online games require identity confirmation via Thai Digital ID;
- Time limits: under 13s — max 60 minutes/day, teens 13–18 — 120 minutes (games blocked from 22:00 to 06:00);
- Spending caps: daily limit of 200 THB for under-18 players;
- Warning notifications: players receive break reminders every 30 minutes.
Industry & Technology Role
Major platforms, including Line Games Thailand, Asphere, and international services (Tencent, Netmarble), have implemented:
- AI behavior monitoring: detects addiction signs (long sessions, chat aggression);
- Automatic lockout: access suspended for 24 hours after limit exceeded;
- Parental controls: SafePlay TH app lets parents manage kids’ time and spending;
- Integration with education: school accounts block games during class hours.
Medical & Social Support
For treatment, the following are available:
- 12 specialized centers nationwide (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket);
- Hotline 1323: 24/7 psychological support in Thai, English, Burmese;
- School programs: digital wellness and emotional health courses;
- Rehab camps: gadget-free programs for addicted teens.
New Challenges 2025
Experts warn of rising threats:
- Metaverses & VR games: deeper immersion increases addiction risk;
- Cyberbullying in games: 38% of teens report harassment;
- Illegal platforms: unverified sites operate via VPN.
In response, the government is preparing an update to the Digital Wellbeing Act, increasing platform accountability and introducing fines up to 500,000 THB for violations.
Outlook 2025–2030
Expected:
- 30% reduction in gaming addiction by 2030;
- Growth of positive gaming — educational and therapeutic games;
- Launch of a National Gamer Registry for research and prevention;
- International cooperation with WHO and UNICEF on best practices.
"Games are not the enemy, but a tool," said DMH Director Professor Pitichai Wongsa-awan. "Our goal is to teach children to play wisely, not to ban. The health of a generation depends on it."
Have a teen who plays too much? My Thai Home helps you recognize the line between hobby and addiction, set parental controls, and find help. Technology — for life, not instead of it.
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