What is online gaming addiction and how can you recognise it? 5 signs your child could be dangerously obsessed with video games
AS gaming addiction is classed as a medical disorder, we look at the signs you should look out for.
Read on to learn the symptoms doctors say you should look out for...
What is an online gaming addiction?
An addiction to online video games is a very real problem and could have significant consequences to those suffering.
An addiction to standard video games that are designed for a single player usually relates to the player needing to complete a mission, or beat a high score.
Online multiplayer games usually have no ending and gamers enjoy creating and building relationships with other online characters and players which can provide a community feeling and an escape from reality.
"Someone addicted to gaming has become socially dysfunctional because of their compulsive need to game," Dr Mateen Durrani, Group Psychiatrist at leading addiction treatment firm , told The Sun.
"The user will have lost their power of choice, in that playing games has completely taken over their life and they are obsessed," he added.
"Parents who believe their child has a dependency-based problem with internet games should seek professional help immediately."
What are the signs and symptoms of an addiction to video games?
Dr Durrani lists the following tips for identifying a video game addiction:
Obsessive behaviour
1. Being completely preoccupied about getting back to the game and displaying irritable, restless and even aggressive behaviour when not playing.
Physical warning signs
2. Headaches and fatigue due to lack of sleep.
3. A loss of appetite and poor diet.
4. In severe cases, diminished personal hygiene.
Being locked away for hours
5. Self-imposed isolation to ensure uninterrupted game play.
UKAT runs several treatment centres for those dealing with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, eating disorders, and video game addiction.
"If your child plays online games for hours on end, this does not necessarily mean that they are addicted or have a dependency-based problem," said Dr Durrani.
"But time spent, coupled with these main physical and psychological symptoms, could indicate a problem.
"Early intervention in children could result in a healthy, moderated use of online games in the future, if the issue is tackled sooner rather than later."
What is Fortnite Battle Royale?
If you're new to the game, here's what you need to know
- Fortnite Battle Royale is a free game
- It's available on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac and now iPhone too
- In the game, up to 100 players are dropped onto a fictional island
- Players are then forced to battle it out in a last-person-standing deathmatch
- To help, players can collect a range of weapons hidden all over the island
- You can also collect resources – like wood, bricks and metal – to build defensive structures
- The area you can play in on the island is constantly shrinking thanks to an encroaching storm
- This means players are forced together over time, until just one person survives
- The game has been a huge hit, and is also available on iPhone
Whereas video game addiction was once shrugged off as hysteria, it's sprung back into the spotlight alongside the rise of Fortnite.
The game's hugely popular online Battle Royale mode drops 100 players into a map to fight using guns and items until only one is left standing.
The unstoppable video game phenomenon has conquered bedrooms and playgrounds, much to the concern of teachers and parents everywhere.
Schools have complained that its arrival on iPhone is causing disruptions inside and outside classrooms, while mums and dads have spoken of kids splurging their dosh on the game's V-Bucks virtual currency.
Is gaming addiction a recognised diagnosis?
Gaming addiction was classified as a medical disorder in June 2018, meaning kids hooked on games such as Fortnite will now be able to access treatment on the NHS.
The World Health Organisation told governments around the world they would be expected to incorporate "gaming disorder" into their health systems, after increasing evidence the addiction caused sufferers and their families severe psychological distress.
Earlier this year WHO announced the move to list it as a mental health condition, describing it as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour so severe that it takes "precedence over other life interests".
The Nightingale Hospital, which founded the UK's first internet rehab service for kids as young as 12, lists the following "warning signs of technology addiction":
- You spend increasing amounts of time on the computer and internet.
- You fail to limit your time spent on the computer or internet.
- You neglect family, friends and other responsibilities.
- You get angry when others criticise the amount of time you spend online.
- You withdraw from other pleasurable activities.
- Your online use interferes with studying or work.
- You are restless and anxious when not online.
- You will forgo necessary sleep to stay online.
If you think your child is suffering from any of these issues, the NSPCC advises that you talk candidly with him or her about what they are doing online and how to stay safe.
The charity adds that you should agree your own rules as a family when using sites, apps and games.
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