Video games can be fun, but they can also be addictive. Unfortunately, that addiction can have real-world consequences. The long-term effects of video game addiction can include interference with school, work and relationships. Not to mention, overall mental health can suffer.
Even more concerning is that excessive online gaming can lead to long-term safety risks. It’s no secret that predators can lurk in these spaces, increasing the risk of exploitation. You might need to think twice since platforms such as Discord and Roblox can facilitate grooming.
Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of online video game addiction.
Internet Gaming Disorder
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is considered a disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which mental health professionals use to diagnose mental conditions.
The symptoms of IGD include:
- Being preoccupied with gaming
- Risking, jeopardizing or losing a relationship or job because of gaming
- Using gaming to ease negative moods like hopelessness or guilt
- Deceiving others regarding how much time you’re spending gaming
- Gaming despite problems
- Losing interest in or giving up other activities because of gaming
- Not being able to quit or reduce time spent gaming
- Having to spend more and more time gaming to satisfy an urge
- Experiencing irritability, sadness or anxiety when unable to game
Internet Gaming Disorder is diagnosed when five or more of the above symptoms are experienced in a year and the symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in numerous areas of the person’s life.
Grooming in Online Gaming
Imagine a typical teenage girl. She plays online games each day after school. She chats with other players and even livestreams sessions at times. She doesn’t always know who she’s talking to or where they live, nor does she really care.
This is a common scenario, and children like this are vulnerable to predators to want to sexually exploit them.
Anywhere from one to 20 percent of children using the internet end up experiencing requests to meet for sex, share sexual content, have images shared without their consent, or face online extortion.
Excessive Screen Time
Too much screen time can affect the physical, social and mental health of people.
Excessive screen time has been linked with:
- Insomnia or poor sleep
- Obesity
- Lost social skills
- Behavioral problems such as impulsive actions
- Less time to play
- Violence
- Back and neck problems
- Eye strain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trouble with school or work
Repetitive stress injuries are a risk of addiction to video games. They can lead to permanent injuries.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury which many gamers end up developing. It involves a wrist nerve becoming inflamed, leading to numbness and pain.
“Gamer’s thumb” is another repetitive stress injury which gamers can develop. It happens when tendons which move the thumb get inflamed. It can lead to limited movement and swelling.
Trigger finger is yet another repetitive stress injury which gamers can develop. It’s when a finger becomes stuck in a bent position because of chronic inflammation.
Gamers can even develop tennis elbow, a painful inflammatory condition of the elbow.
How Common Is Addiction to Video Games?
It is estimated by researchers that between 1.7 percent and 10 percent of the United States population is addicted to video games.
There’s a large estimated range due to researcher disagreement on Internet Gaming Disorder’s diagnostic criteria.
