Free games are meant to be a quick break, but screens make it easy to keep going. These habits keep play pleasant and your eyes happy.
Set the length first
Decide how many minutes you want to play and set a timer before you open a game. Ten minutes is a good default.
Try the 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. It is an easy way to rest your eyes during any screen activity.
Evenings
- Stop at least an hour before bed.
- Turn the brightness down after dark.
- Keep the phone out of reach once you are in bed.
Keep games in their place
- Play for fun, not to escape stress or a low mood.
- Do not let games replace sleep, meals, work or time with people.
- Remember that every result is random and stays inside the game.
Signs to take a longer break
- You often play much longer than you planned.
- You feel restless or irritable when you cannot play.
- You hide how much time you spend on games.
- You have moved from free games to gambling with real stakes and find it hard to stop.
Independent organisations offer free, confidential support — see our Responsible Play page.