The Rise of Digital Gaming and Its Impact on Children
The massive popularity of digital games in recent times has led to an inevitable surge in many health issues in children. Digital addiction and prolonged screen time is the main cause of Internet Gaming Disorder in many children. Let us understand this in detail.
Childhood is all about fun and games. But during the last two decades, compter technology has dramatically changed the world of games and leisure activities. Children are hardly seen in the football ground or the cricket field. They are mostly found glued to their Ipad or laptop and mobiles, playing their favourite game online.
Understanding Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)
IGD (Internet Gaming Disorder) is a serious disorder that leads to impairment of social and personal functioning of a child. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has included IGD in it’s fifth edition of The Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and have started further research on the same. IGD is closely related to numerous other terms such as smartphone addiction, internet use disorder, problematic internet use and many more. However, IGD is about specific dimension of pathological online gaming and is usually associated with symptoms of social withdrawal, anxiety and depression.
Common Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder
Children suffering from IGD show one or more of the following symptoms:
- Loss of interest in other activities that they previously enjoyed.
- Inability toreduce or quit gaming
- Preoccupied with gaming most of the times
- Using gaming to come out of negative moods such as hopelessness and guilt
- Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is prohibited
Is IGD an Addiction or a Mental Disorder?
Internet Gaming Disorder has been included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization but scientists are still debating whether IGD should be classified as an addiction or a mental disorder as there are similarities in changes shown in the functioning of the brain in both the cases. All said and done, there is no disputing the fact that prevalence of IGD is quite high and is steadily increasing.
Final words:
Preventing IGD starts with creating a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities. Parents should encourage outdoor play, set clear screen-time limits, and monitor the content of games. Educating children about the importance of moderation and guiding them towards constructive hobbies can help reduce the risk of gaming addiction.
 is increasingly affecting children, impairing their mental health and social interactions. Here's everything parents need to know about its symptoms, impact, and preventive measures.){kind=link}