Understanding Video Game Addiction
Over 2 billion people play video games worldwide, and the market for video games is on track to become a $90 billion industry in America by 2020. The average gamer plays for about 6 hours every week. For most players of all ages, playing video games is a fun pastime – a way to relax, connect with friends, and enjoy a challenge. Unfortunately, for some players, a video game hobby can escalate into an addictive disorder which takes over their lives.
In recent years, the smartphone has surpassed the computer and the console as the most common gaming device, with video games now available on apps and social media. Furthermore, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) continue to be immensely popular. Every day, games like League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Fortnite, Final Fantasy, and The Elder Scrolls Online draw millions of players into their virtual worlds. About 160 million Americans play MMORPGs and other Internet-based games every day.
Like all good things, videos games are best in moderation. Adults and children alike can develop unhealthy, obsessive relationships with video games that they love.
Why Is Video Game Addiction Controversial?
Since there is at least one gamer in 75% of American households, you probably know at least one person who plays video games regularly. Few people would deny that someone could play videos games too often, and it’s easy to say that someone is “addicted” when they really just need to take a break. So is video game addiction possible?
Currently, there is no scientific consensus on when video game overuse becomes an addiction, or if this is even possible. For this reason, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has classified “Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)” as a potential diagnosis which requires further review. A 2017 study in the Association’s official journal left open the possibility that the classification could one day change. However, it stated that there is not enough research right now to confirm definitively that overusing video games is an addiction according to APA’s definition. The APA defines addiction as “a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.” This definition effectively excludes the possibility of any behavioral addictions.
Another source of the scientists’ skepticism is the fact that only a very small portion of gamers ever exhibit any signs of a disorder, especially the specific symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. For this reason, some scientists and researchers believe that video game overuse is a just habit or a symptom of another disorder, rather than an addiction.
Gaming Disorder: Why Video Games Can Be Addictive
Even without an officially diagnosed disorder, some people sacrifice their jobs and marriages to spend 60 hours every week playing on the computer. Some children and teenagers become so attached to video games that they threaten their parents when they’re told to put down the controller.
Many of us have read about such cases or have had experiences which show that video games have addictive power. While anecdotal evidence is not scientific research, real world experience and the growing awareness of other behavioral addictions explain why the concept of video game addiction is becoming increasingly accepted. Recently, the World Health Organization added “gaming disorder” to its official list of diseases.
Gaming disorder is defined … as a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
It is important to understand that the amount of time that someone spends playing a video game does not necessarily indicate that they have an addiction. After all, someone could spend many hours playing a video game just because they enjoy it, but they could also stop without much difficulty. By contrast, a person might have an addiction to a video game if they can’t stop playing it, even though they know they should. They’re aware that the video game is causing them to neglect their family, friends, education, and work, but they keep playing anyway because they feel best behind the screen.
When someone “needs” to play video games to be happy and feels miserable when they’re not playing, this suggests that they might have a disorder which is just as real as alcoholism or dependence on prescription drugs. Withdrawal symptoms commonly characterize substance use disorders and it is not certain whether video games can truly cause withdrawal. Nevertheless, researchers have documented possible symptoms of video game withdrawal, including fatigue, headaches, insomnia, aggressive emotions, and intense cravings to play video games again.
Moreover, video games affect the brain in the same way as addictive drugs: they trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical which reinforces behavior. For this reason, playing video games can be an addictive stimulus. These facts indicate that addiction to video games may be possible.