The Impact of Online Games on Children's Enthusiasm for Learning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32806/islamentary.v4i2.2476Keywords:
Ame Online, Spirit of Learning, Children, Learning Motivation, Islamic Education.Abstract
The development of information and communication technology has brought great changes in people's lives, including in children's lives. One form of technological development that is widely used by children is online games. Online games can be a means of entertainment and under certain conditions can provide benefits for the development of thinking skills, strategies, problem-solving, and social interaction. However, excessive use of online games can cause various problems, especially if it interferes with learning activities. This study aims to examine in depth the impact of online games on children's enthusiasm for learning. The research uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach. Data was obtained through studies of books, scientific journals, academic articles, and sources relevant to the use of online games, learning motivation, child development, and Islamic education. The results of the study show that excessive use of online games can have a negative impact on children's enthusiasm for learning, including reduced learning time, impaired concentration, the emergence of the habit of procrastinating tasks, reduced discipline, sleep disturbances, and the tendency of children to prioritize games over academic activities. On the other hand, the limited and controlled use of online games can provide certain benefits, such as practicing strategic thinking skills, problem solving, coordination, communication, and cooperation. In an Islamic perspective, the use of technology needs to be directed so as not to make humans neglect their obligations and waste time. The Qur'an reminds the importance of using time as contained in Surah Al-'Asr verses 1-3 and the importance of improving knowledge as Surah Al-Mujadilah verse 11. Therefore, the role of parents, teachers, and the environment is needed in directing children to be able to use online games wisely and still prioritize education and learning obligations.
References
Adhzani, F. N., & Tirtoni, F. (2023). The impact of online games on learning motivation of elementary school students. Indonesian Journal of Education Methods Development, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijemd.v21i3.768
Agustini, W., & Marleni. (2023). The impact of online game addiction on learning enthusiasm to promote the students’ motivation to learn. Esteem Journal of English Education Study Programme, 6(2), 370–382. https://doi.org/10.31851/esteem.v6i2.12328
Alzahrani, A. K. D., & Griffiths, M. D. (2025). Problematic gaming and students’ academic performance: A systematic review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 23, 4062–4095. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01338-5
Amalia, A. N., Hakim, L., & Hera, T. (2022). Analisis dampak kecanduan game online terhadap motivasi belajar siswa sekolah dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Konseling (JPDK), 4(4), 1754–1760. https://doi.org/10.31004/jpdk.v4i4.5578
Anjum, R., Nodi, N. H., Das, P. R., et al. (2024). Exploring the association between online gaming addiction and academic performance among the school-going adolescents in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Health Science Reports, 7(9), e70043. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70043
Azzukhruf, M. S. M., Marmoah, S., & Budiharto, T. (2022). Analisis dampak penggunaan smartphone untuk bermain game pada motivasi belajar peserta didik kelas VI sekolah dasar. Didaktika Dwija Indria, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.20961/ddi.v10i4.63509
Byusa, E., Kampire, E., & Mwesigye, A. R. (2022). Game-based learning approach on students’ motivation and understanding of chemistry concepts: A systematic review of literature. Heliyon, 8(5), e09541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09541
Chew, P. K. H., Yow, Y. J., & Dimech, R. (2026). Problematic Gaming and Academic Achievement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Current Addiction Reports, 13, 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-026-00718-2.
Chew, P. K. H., Yow, Y. J., & Dimech, R. (2026). Problematic gaming and academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Addiction Reports, 13, 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-026-00718-2
Darmawan, R. R., Maksum, A., & Nurhasanah, N. (2024). Hubungan tingkat kecanduan game online dengan motivasi belajar siswa kelas III di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 8(3), 2292–2302. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v8i3.7698.
Darmawan, R. R., Maksum, A., & Nurhasanah, N. (2024). Hubungan tingkat kecanduan game online dengan motivasi belajar siswa kelas III di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 8(3), 2292–2302. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v8i3.7698
Fadda, D., Pellegrini, M., Vivanet, G., & Zandonella Callegher, C. (2022). Effects of digital games on student motivation in mathematics: A meta-analysis in K-12. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(1), 304–325. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12618.
Fadda, D., Pellegrini, M., Vivanet, G., & Zandonella Callegher, C. (2022). Effects of digital games on student motivation in mathematics: A meta-analysis in K-12. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(1), 304–325. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12618
Furlong, D. E., & Lester, J. N. (2023). Toward a practice of qualitative methodological literature reviewing. Qualitative Inquiry, 29(6), 669–677. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778004221131028
Haratua, C. S., Aziz, A., Prawira, R., Tabriji, J., Ambarwati, H., & Nurhadi, A. (2024). The impact of online game addiction on elementary school students' learning motivation: A qualitative study of grade 5 students at SDN Karangmakmur III. Bhinneka: Jurnal Bintang Pendidikan dan Bahasa, 2(3), 98–106. https://doi.org/10.59024/bhinneka.v2i3.841.
Haratua, C. S., Aziz, A., Prawira, R., Tabriji, J., Ambarwati, H., & Nurhadi, A. (2024). The impact of online game addiction on elementary school students’ learning motivation: A qualitative study of grade 5 students at SDN Karangmakmur III. Bhinneka: Jurnal Bintang Pendidikan dan Bahasa, 2(3), 98–106. https://doi.org/10.59024/bhinneka.v2i3.841
Li, Y., Chen, D., & Deng, X. (2024). The impact of digital educational games on student's motivation for learning: The mediating effect of learning engagement and the moderating effect of the digital environment. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0294350. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294350.
Li, Y., Chen, D., & Deng, X. (2024). The impact of digital educational games on student’s motivation for learning: The mediating effect of learning engagement and the moderating effect of the digital environment. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0294350. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294350
Maeda, Y., Caskurlu, S., Kenney, R. H., Kozan, K., & Richardson, J. C. (2022). Moving qualitative synthesis research forward in education: A methodological systematic review. Educational Research Review, 35, 100424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100424
Maekawa, K. (2023). Procedures and rules for conducting qualitative systematic reviews. Annals of Japan Prosthodontic Society, 15(2), 175–181. https://doi.org/10.2186/ajps.15.175
McMahon, K., Clark, I. N., Stensæth, K., Odell-Miller, H., Wosch, T., Bukowska, A., & Baker, F. A. (2022). Exploring shared musical experiences in dementia care: A worked example of a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221127509
Özyürek, A., Yıldırım, N., Aydın, Ü., Yazgan, E., Korkut, A., Erşan, E., Koç, A. O., & Karabulut, Z. E. (2022). Okul öncesi çocukların oynadığı dijital oyunların incelenmesi. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 20(3), 950–972. https://doi.org/10.37217/tebd.1078627
Paterna, A., Alcaraz-Ibáñez, M., Diaz-Carrasco, A. F., & Griffiths, M. D. (2026). Problematic videogame use and academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 100835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2026.100835
Santinah, S., & Saluky, S. (2022). The effect of online games on learning motivation and learning achievement. ITEJ (Information Technology Engineering Journals), 7(1), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.24235/itej.v7i1.100
Toh, W. M., & Lim, F. V. (2022). Learning in digital play: A dual case study of video gamers’ independent play. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 17, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-022-00182-2
Wang, L.-H., Chen, B., Hwang, G.-J., Guan, J.-Q., & Wang, Y.-Q. (2022). Effects of digital game-based STEM education on students’ learning achievement: A meta-analysis. International Journal of STEM Education, 9, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00344-0
Waqi, A., & Nisa, S. (2024). Pengaruh game online terhadap motivasi belajar siswa sekolah dasar. AHKAM, 3(2), 567–574. https://doi.org/10.58578/ahkam.v3i2.3205
Yadav, D. (2022). Criteria for good qualitative research: A comprehensive review. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 31, 679–689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-021-00619-0
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mutiah Eriani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Licensing Terms
Journal of Islamic Elementary Education use attribution-NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License..
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
