Video game addiction facts for kids

Video game addiction (VGA), also known as gaming disorder, is when someone plays video games so much that it causes serious problems in their daily life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized gaming disorder in its official list of health conditions, called the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This means they see it as a real health issue.

Peope with video game addiction might struggle with school, friendships, or other important activities because of gaming. It's like a habit that becomes very hard to control.

Understanding Gaming Disorder

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially included "gaming disorder" in its International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). This happened in June 2018, and it became official for use on January 1, 2022. This means it's recognized as a real health condition worldwide.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) also studies this issue. In their DSM-5 manual, they listed "internet gaming disorder" as a condition that needs more research. They noticed that some players get so caught up in games that they neglect important parts of their lives. This can include not taking care of themselves, losing sleep, or avoiding friends and family.

Signs of Gaming Disorder

The APA has created a list of nine signs that might show someone is struggling with internet gaming disorder. A person might have this disorder if they show five or more of these signs over a year:

• Do you think about games a lot, even when you're not playing?
• Do you feel upset, angry, or sad if you can't play games or try to stop?
• Do you feel like you need to play more or play more exciting games to feel the same thrill?
• Do you try to play less but find it hard to cut back?
• Do you lose interest in other fun activities because of gaming?
• Do you keep playing games even when it causes problems, like not sleeping enough or being late?
• Do you hide how much you game from family or friends?
• Do you play games to escape from problems or bad feelings?
• Do you risk losing important friendships, school opportunities, or other chances because of gaming?

Doctors and experts use special questionnaires and tests to help understand if someone has gaming disorder. These tools help them ask the right questions and get a clearer picture of a person's gaming habits.

What Increases the Risk of Gaming Disorder?

Certain things can make it more likely for someone to develop gaming disorder.

• Online Games: Games played online, especially MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) where many players interact, can be very engaging. Some people might use these games to feel powerful or confident if they struggle with these feelings in real life.
• In-Game Purchases: Spending money on microtransactions (small purchases within a game) like loot boxes (virtual items with random contents) has been linked to a higher risk of gaming disorder. It can also be connected to problems similar to gambling.
• Age and Gender: Younger people, especially teenagers, and boys are more likely to develop gaming disorder than older people or girls. Studies show that teenagers are at a higher risk of having this problem for a longer time.
• Other Health Conditions: If someone already has other mental health conditions, like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), anxiety, or depression, they might be more at risk. These conditions can make it harder to control gaming habits.
• Personality Traits: Certain personality traits, like being very impulsive (acting without thinking) or easily stressed, can also increase the risk. However, being friendly or open to new experiences might help protect against problematic gaming.

How Gaming Disorder Develops

Scientists are still learning exactly how gaming disorder works. However, they have some ideas about why games can become so engaging for some people.

Game Design and Rewards

Video games are often designed with special reward systems. These systems can create a feeling of excitement and pleasure in the brain. When you anticipate a reward in a game, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine. This makes you feel good when you achieve the reward, making you want to play more. This process is similar to how other habits can form.

Some online games also don't have a clear ending. This can make players feel like they can keep playing forever, which can be very engaging and make it harder to stop.

Getting Help for Gaming Disorder

As more people become aware of gaming disorder, different ways to help are being explored. These include talking to a therapist, joining support groups, or using other strategies.

Studies show that talking therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be helpful. These therapies teach people how to change their thoughts and behaviors related to gaming. While more research is needed, CBT has shown good results in helping people reduce gaming disorder symptoms.

It's also important to try to prevent gaming disorder from starting. Simple tips can help:

• Set clear time limits for gaming each day.
• Keep gaming devices out of your bedroom to create a healthier sleep environment.
• Make sure to do physical activities and exercise regularly.

Some countries have even opened special centers to help people with gaming disorder. These include places like Singapore, South Korea, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

China's Approach

China was one of the first countries to offer clinical help for "internet addiction" in 2008. The Chinese government has set up clinics to help young people who spend too much time on online games or the internet. In 2019, China introduced rules to limit how much time minors could play online games. By 2021, a new policy limited underage teenagers to playing online games only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 8 pm and 9 pm.

Germany's Support

Germany has many centers that help with behavioral habits. Some of these clinics offer group therapy specifically for computer game and internet addiction.

Help in the Netherlands

In 2006, a clinic in Amsterdam became one of the first in Europe to offer a program for people who play games too much.

Canada's Services

In Richmond, British Columbia, a center for computer addiction reported that most of their young clients needed help because of too much gaming.

United Kingdom's Centers

In 2018, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK announced plans to open a treatment center. This center, which opened in 2019, focuses on helping young people aged 13-25 who are struggling with gaming disorder.

Singapore's Management

Singapore has also created services to help people with gaming habits. The National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) was set up in 2008. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in cases, especially related to using electronic devices like smartphones. The government and other organizations are working together to manage this.

Health Effects of Gaming Disorder

Playing video games excessively can have several effects on a person's health.

Physical Well-being

One common effect is changes in physical health, such as general physical symptoms and problems with sleep. Spending a lot of time gaming can also lead to less physical exercise, which might contribute to obesity.

How Many People Are Affected?

Studies show that gaming disorder affects a small percentage of people, usually between 0.3% and 17.7%. The average rate is about 3.3%. It seems to be more common in boys (8.5%) than in girls (3.5%).

The number of people affected can vary by region. Asia has shown the highest rates (6.3%), followed by North America (3.6%) and Europe (2.7%). Teenagers and young adults tend to have higher rates of gaming disorder compared to older adults.

Ongoing Research and Debates

There's a lot of discussion among experts about gaming disorder.

Different Views on Classification

Some researchers believe that gaming disorder is a separate health condition. Others think it might be a sign of other underlying mental health issues. There's also debate about whether it's similar to other habits, like gambling problems. Some experts caution that we need to understand gaming disorder better before making strong conclusions.

Many researchers support the idea that gaming disorder is part of a larger group of "impulse control disorders." This group includes problems with using the internet, computers, and other digital media too much. While gaming disorder is different from problems with gambling or other substances, they do share some common features in how they affect behavior and the brain.

Why Games Are So Engaging

Some researchers suggest that video games tap into natural human motivations. For example, games often involve teamwork, exploration, and solving challenges, which are things humans have always found engaging. Online games, especially, can create strong social bonds and a sense of belonging, which can make them even more compelling.

A Look at History

Concerns about playing video games too much are not new. Studies on problematic gaming have been happening since the 1980s.

In the 1970s, some students at Caltech reportedly struggled with their studies because they played a game called Empire too much. By the 1990s, news reports started mentioning college students playing online games for many hours a day instead of attending classes.

In 2008, a survey of players of Asheron's Call found that a small percentage felt agitated if they couldn't play or missed sleep or meals for the game.

Gaming Disorder in ICD-11

The inclusion of "gaming disorder" in the ICD-11 was a big step. It means that the World Health Organization officially recognized it as a pattern of gaming behavior that leads to significant problems in a person's life. To be diagnosed, this behavior must be severe enough to cause issues in personal, family, school, or other important areas, and usually lasts for at least 12 months.

Some people, including gamers and the video game industry, were concerned about this inclusion. They felt that there wasn't enough scientific evidence yet. However, the WHO defended its decision, saying it was important to recognize the most extreme cases and encourage more research and discussion with the gaming industry.

Gaming in Society and Culture

Gaming is a big part of many people's lives, and it brings up some important discussions.

Parental Concerns

Parents often have questions about their children's video game habits. They might worry about whether games are right for their child's age, how much time is spent playing, how it affects physical health, or if it leads to aggressive behavior.

Government Actions

Governments in different countries have also looked at how to manage gaming.

• In 2005, China introduced a rule limiting online gaming time for minors, which has been updated over the years.
• In 2011, South Korea had a "Shutdown law" that stopped children under 16 from playing online games late at night. This law was changed to allow play with parental permission and was later removed in 2021.

These policies aim to help, but researchers are still studying how effective they are. Some suggest that the video game industry itself could help by putting measures in place to prevent gaming disorder.