Can online games be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse?
Can online games be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse?
Can online games be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse?
Brian Consiglio
March, 19, 2025
Summary
Traditional in-person interventions for adolescent substance abuse are often ineffective, especially in rural areas. Mansoo Yu, a University of Missouri professor, analyzed 26 studies on digital game-based interventions to identify effective strategies. He found the most successful games were personalized, included social competition, and promoted positive behavior change. These digital tools meet adolescents online, improving accessibility and engagement. Effective games also offer healthy alternatives to coping behaviors, like smoking, by encouraging activities such as sports or music. Yu’s findings provide a blueprint for designing customized, impactful digital interventions to reduce substance use and support adolescent mental health and positive development.
Reference
Consiglio, B. (2025, March 19). Can online games be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse? Show Me Mizzou. https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/can-online-games-be-an-effective-intervention-to-help-adolescents-reduce-substance-abuse/