Internet Gaming Addiction: Prevalence, Causes, Consequences, and Intervention Strategies

As internet and online gaming phenomenon increases rapidly, gaming addiction, particularly internet gaming disorder, is now recognised as a growing public health issue. Gaming addiction is characterized by symptoms such as personal and social impairments, occupational settings, and obsession, withdrawal, lack of control for actions. This review paper aims to cover the prevalence of gaming addiction, its causes, consequences and possible intervention strategies. It is common in teenagers and young adults, but occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. Learnt low esteem, escapism and comorbid mood disorders are predisposing psychological factors for the addiction. High levels of engagement in games are attributable other social attributes such as reward mechanisms. Some psychological effects include anxiety, depression, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders and academic and social dysfunction. Available so far are reputed treatments such as a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, time boundaries to focus on policies, parental intervention and school-based programs to promote balanced gaming habits. A further effort would need to be made to know all these factors when we are developing some of the strategies on how to reduce or to some extent will mitigate the negative impacts of problematic gaming, and promote for more healthier gaming practice.