Free games are designed to be fun, and fun is best in reasonable portions. Even when there is nothing to buy and nothing to gain, any game can take up more time than we intended. These simple habits help keep social games a pleasant break rather than a distraction.
Decide before you start
Choose how long you want to play before you open a game — ten or fifteen minutes is plenty. Setting a timer on your phone works surprisingly well. When it rings, finish the spin you are on and close the tab.
Take real breaks
Stand up, stretch, drink some water, look out of a window. Short breaks reset your attention and make it easier to notice how you are feeling. If you play in the evening, stop well before bedtime: bright screens and fast animations can make it harder to fall asleep.
Keep games in their place
- Play when you want a short break, not to escape stress or difficult feelings.
- Do not let games replace sleep, meals, work, study or time with people.
- Avoid playing when you are tired, upset or have been drinking.
- Remember that results are random and mean nothing outside the game.
Warning signs
It may be time to step back if you notice that you:
- regularly play much longer than you planned;
- feel irritable or restless when you cannot play;
- think about games a lot when you are doing other things;
- hide how much time you spend playing from people close to you.
Where to find help
If gaming or gambling habits — yours or someone else's — are causing worry, independent organisations offer free and confidential support. Gambling Therapy provides online help in many languages worldwide, GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline in the UK (0808 8020 133) and Gamblers Anonymous has groups in many countries. Our Responsible Play page has more details.