How is Video Game Playing Time Linked to Parent-Child Communication Frequency? A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Analysis.

With the development of computer technology, more and more teenagers devote abundant time and effort to video games. Previous cross-sectional studies have found a negative relationship between video game playing time and parent-child communication frequency, but the causal direction between the two is still unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the direction of the relationship between video game playing time and parent-child communication frequency among Chinese junior high school students. We analyzed the longitudinal data from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS). A total of 7340 junior high school students were analyzed across an academic year using cross-lagged analysis. The study results showed that the relationship between video game playing time and parent-child communication frequency is bidirectional. Our research helps to prevent and intervene in junior high school students' excessive video game playing from a family perspective. Given the bidirectional influence between these two variables, families should focus on increasing parent-child communication with children to prevent junior high school students from excessive video game playing time.