Dr. Justin Coulson speaks with former Disney executive and GameTruck founder Scott Novis about the hidden dangers of video games—and how parents can help their kids develop a healthy relationship with gaming. From understanding addictive design to replacing screen time with real-world connection, this conversation delivers practical, real-world solutions for every family navigating the digital age.

KEY POINTS
Addiction by Design: Some game developers deliberately design games using the "hook algorithm" to exploit children’s brain development and keep them playing compulsively.
Self-Determination vs. Hooked Gaming: Games built on autonomy, mastery, and relatedness (like Minecraft) build skills and confidence. Hooked games create craving, not satisfaction.
3 Hacks for Safer Gaming:
Buy the game (don’t use free-to-play).
Play offline (limits tracking and manipulation).
Listen to how your child talks about the game (progress = good, frustration = red flag).
Ending Game Time Without Conflict: Pre-agree on ending conditions, give non-verbal cues (like flicking the lights), and offer choices that preserve agency.
Offline Substitutes Matter: Create "hard to enter, hard to leave" real-life communities (e.g., sports, jiu-jitsu, Dungeons & Dragons) that offer connection, skill-building, and purpose.
Social Disconnection: Excessive gaming and screen time can cause “virtual autism” and impair emotional and social development.
The Goal: Return to a play-based childhood that prioritises real-world connection, effort, and fun.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“If your child sounds like a victim when they talk about the game—they’re in trouble. If they sound empowered, they’re probably playing a good game.”
— Scott Novis

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Books:
The Anxious Generationby Jonathan Haidt
Glued to Games by Scott Rigby & Richard Ryan
Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté
Miss Connection by Dr. Justin Coulson
Websites:
https://www.scottnovis.com/ – Scott's personal site
gametruck.com – Scott's company for social gaming experiences
Article:
William Siu's essay in The New York Times on game addiction and design

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Buy Games, Not Addictions
Choose paid games that don’t rely on manipulating your child’s attention or money.
Play Offline Whenever Possible
Remove always-on connectivity that allows companies to track and shape behaviour.
Ask the Right Questions
Is your child developing skills—or just chasing random rewards? Listen for signs of empowerment or frustration.
Negotiate Game Time Up Front
Pre-agree on stop times and methods, give warnings (e.g., flicking lights), and honour your child’s autonomy.
Replace, Don’t Just Remove
Replace screen time with rich, social, skill-building real-world activities—like sports, martial arts, tabletop games, or outdoor adventures.
No Screens in Bedrooms
Set screen bedtimes. Keep devices out of reach at night to prevent secret play.
Get Involved
Play games with your kids—even if you're bad at them. Model effort, learning, and connection.
Watch for Red Flags
Look for sleep disruption, secretive behaviour, rage quitting, or declining school performance.

Dr. Justin Coulson speaks with former Disney executive and GameTruck founder Scott Novis about the hidden dangers of video games&mdash;and how parents can help their kids develop a healthy relationship with gaming. From understanding addictive design to replacing screen time with real-world connection, this conversation delivers practical, real-world solutions for every family navigating the digital age.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Addiction by Design: Some game developers deliberately design games using the "hook algorithm" to exploit children&rsquo;s brain development and keep them playing compulsively.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Self-Determination vs. Hooked Gaming: Games built on autonomy, mastery, and relatedness (like Minecraft) build skills and confidence. Hooked games create craving, not satisfaction.</li>
<li aria-level="1">3 Hacks for Safer Gaming:</li>
<ol>
<li aria-level="2">Buy the game (don&rsquo;t use free-to-play).</li>
<li aria-level="2">Play offline (limits tracking and manipulation).</li>
<li aria-level="2">Listen to how your child talks about the game (progress = good, frustration = red flag).</li>
</ol>
<li aria-level="1">Ending Game Time Without Conflict: Pre-agree on ending conditions, give non-verbal cues (like flicking the lights), and offer choices that preserve agency.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Offline Substitutes Matter: Create "hard to enter, hard to leave" real-life communities (e.g., sports, jiu-jitsu, Dungeons &amp; Dragons) that offer connection, skill-building, and purpose.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Social Disconnection: Excessive gaming and screen time can cause &ldquo;virtual autism&rdquo; and impair emotional and social development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Goal: Return to a play-based childhood that prioritises real-world connection, effort, and fun.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;If your child sounds like a victim when they talk about the game&mdash;they&rsquo;re in trouble. If they sound empowered, they&rsquo;re probably playing a good game.&rdquo; &mdash; Scott Novis
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Books:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-anxious-generation-9781802063271">The Anxious Generation </a>by Jonathan Haidt</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/glued-to-games-9780313362255/">Glued to Games</a> by Scott Rigby &amp; Richard Ryan</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://drgabormate.com/book/scattered-minds/">Scattered Minds</a> by Dr. Gabor Mat&eacute;</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/miss-connection">Miss Connection</a> by Dr. Justin Coulson</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Websites:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.scottnovis.com/">https://www.scottnovis.com/</a> &ndash; Scott's personal site</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.gametruckparty.com/">gametruck.com </a>&ndash; Scott's company for social gaming experiences</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Article:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">William Siu's essay in The New York Times on game addiction and design</li>
</ul>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Buy Games, Not Addictions Choose paid games that don&rsquo;t rely on manipulating your child&rsquo;s attention or money.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Play Offline Whenever Possible Remove always-on connectivity that allows companies to track and shape behaviour.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ask the Right Questions Is your child developing skills&mdash;or just chasing random rewards? Listen for signs of empowerment or frustration.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Negotiate Game Time Up Front Pre-agree on stop times and methods, give warnings (e.g., flicking lights), and honour your child&rsquo;s autonomy.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Replace, Don&rsquo;t Just Remove Replace screen time with rich, social, skill-building real-world activities&mdash;like sports, martial arts, tabletop games, or outdoor adventures.</li>
<li aria-level="1">No Screens in Bedrooms Set screen bedtimes. Keep devices out of reach at night to prevent secret play.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Get Involved Play games with your kids&mdash;even if you're bad at them. Model effort, learning, and connection.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Watch for Red Flags Look for sleep disruption, secretive behaviour, rage quitting, or declining school performance.</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1261 - Hooked on Games: How to Help Kids Break Free from Addictive Gaming (feat. Scott Novus, former VP at Disney & gaming expert)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/89ad3254-4bde-4233-8728-b2e400be625c/transcript