Ethics and Values

Dr. M Rashmi
Department of Social Sciences
VIT University, Vellore

Lecture – 59
Addiction to Video Games

Welcome back my dear friends. In the previous lecture we discussed the characteristics of
mobile phone addiction and we also came across the term nomophobia. In today’s lecture, we
will look into some of the issues related to online gaming addiction.

As I have already discussed in the previous lectures, internet has become an essential element
of our daily life. Especially, during the pandemic period, everybody is using internet to make
contact with their friends, family, also to do a job, to ensure education and dissemination of
information etc. It does have its benefits but it also carries a danger along with it. Internet
opens wide world of opportunities for us which if used properly can provide benefits or even
entertain us but excessive and obsessive utilization of these facilities can have dangerous
impacts as well.

In the year 2018, the WHO, classified “gaming disorders” under the category of disorders due
to addictive behaviours in its diagnostic manual on International Classification of Diseases.
The World Health Organization defines gaming addiction as a pattern of persistent or
recurrent gaming behavior which may be online or even offline. The gaming addiction is
manifested as an impaired control over gaming i.e. its intensity, frequency and duration
gradually grows, then, the user progressively starts to give priority to gaming which takes
precedence over other life activities and the continuation of gaming, despite negative
consequences.

There are basically two major types of video games and hence, we can have two types of
video game addictions. We have standard video games which is usually designed for a single
player and involve a clear goal or mission. Well, the addiction to such games is often related
to the obsession of finishing the task or beating a high score or completing the mission. Now,
there is this other type of video game which involves the participation of multiple players at
the same time. These games are highly addictive because of the element of competition and
sometimes the competitor might use aggressive comments, which further motivates
adolescents to continue the game. Gamers addicted to such video games enjoy creating and
temporarily assuming an online character. Such games can create an opportunity for cyber
groomers.

Now, what causes addiction to video games? There are many reasons and one of the first
reason is that they are designed to make people addicted. The challenges and new hurdles
introduced in games motivate young people to continue playing the game and the reward
obtained after every stage and challenge, triggers the pleasure centers of brain and acts as an
element causing addiction. There are many studies which say that the spiral of challenges and
achievements along with rewards and the gradual enjoyment of the virtual world where

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someone feels free from societal responsibilities, expectations and control from family can be
a contributing factor. This might seem tempting for some and they seek out an adventure
without realizing its consequences.

 Here are some of the symptoms of gaming addiction:

Are you experiencing these signs, then, I would suggest you to reflect on what you are
undergoing and decide what to do next.

Adolescents and not just adolescents, even adults love to play online. People might begin and
just attempt playing online for curiosity and excitement. I would also like to mention that not
everyone who likes to play online gets addicted to gaming. WHO says that to diagnose
gaming disorder, it is required that the behaviour pattern must be of adequate severity to
result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other
important areas of functioning. It should normally be evident for at least 12 months. As I
already said, gaming disorder affects only a very small number of people who continuously
engage in video gaming activities. However, people who involve in online gaming should be
alert to the amount of time they spend on gaming activities, particularly when they play while
avoiding their daily activities. They should also be aware regarding any changes in their
physical and psychological health that could be attributed to their pattern of gaming
behaviour.

Now, let’s have a reflection spot. What would you do if you realize that you are addicted to
an online game?

a) Ignore the thought and continue playing the game

b) Become aware of the problem and start measures to stop

c) Talk to your parents and seek professional help

d) Talk to your friends

I definitely hope that you will be genuine in answering the question. There can be more
options than the ones I have specified but as a teacher, I would suggest you people to first
talk to your parents and seek professional help because we might think that we can solve the

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problem alone but addictions mostly show the tendency of recurrence. So, I would suggest
you people to go for option c.

Now, how can we prevent this problem? First of all, we need to set time limits and stick to
them. Also, make sure that you don’t keep your mobile phone in bedroom or where you sleep
so that you can avoid the temptation to play or use whenever you see it. Another very
important problem with online gaming is the sedentary lifestyle which gets gradually
developed among young people causing obesity in some. So, we should make sure that we
walk and remain active to avoid such diversions.

There are studies that even show that some children who are exposed to violent online games
exhibit anger and aggression more than those who did not play. There are also studies which
state that most adolescents who are addicted to computer games have high heart beat and
blood pressure due to too much excitement and stress. You might have heard of instances
caused by deadly online games like Blue Whale and Free Fire, when children sometimes
were found engaging in self-harm and in some extreme cases even suicide. In certain cases,
even the children were found of playing for more than 20 hours, they stop eating and talking
to their family members and always demand of getting a new sophisticated mobile phone for
better gaming experience.

Well, the intention of this course is for you people to reflect on your actions. So, if you are
facing any such condition, then, please find help and take steps to stop it. I repeat what I said
before, we should not let technology control us and not let it make us its slave. Spend more
time with your family members, and do understand that no technology can be a substitute for
the care, joy and love we get from our family and friends.

In the next lecture, we will be discussing another form of behavioral addiction which is
addiction to social networking sites.

Bye and thank you.