A recent extensive study monitoring children over eight years revealed that one out of every ten boys is at risk of developing problem gaming behaviors. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a behavioral issue characterized by excessive gaming leading to significant disruptions in daily life, including impacts on school, relationships, and mental health. The study, conducted by Nottingham Trent University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and RMIT University in Melbourne, tracked over 800 children in Norway from the age of 10 to 18.
The research highlighted that the age of 12 is crucial, as continued excessive gaming beyond this age poses a higher risk of problems later in life. Those who reduced their gaming habits or lost interest during their teenage years tended to fare better. Dr. Daria Kuss, co-author and Associate Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, emphasized the importance of early interventions tailored to teenagers to prevent internet gaming disorder from negatively impacting their lives.
Published in the journal Addiction, the study identified two main types of symptoms associated with IGD. Researchers conducted face-to-face clinical interviews and monitored IGD symptoms at five intervals over eight years, totaling more than 3,200 observations. By the age of 18, around 10% of boys and 2% of girls had met the criteria for IGD at least once.
The study found that heavy gaming involvement increased steadily from age 10, peaked in mid-adolescence, and typically decreased by age 18. Negative consequences of excessive gaming remained constant throughout the teenage years. While early signs of IGD at age 10 often subsided naturally, an escalation in heavy gaming from age 12 onwards predicted a higher likelihood of negative outcomes later on.
Boys were found to be three to five times more susceptible to IGD than girls, but when girls exhibited symptoms, the negative impacts were equally severe. Lead author Professor Lars Wichstrøm from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology emphasized the importance of intervening during early adolescence to prevent entrenched gaming habits.
The study recommended that parents, schools, and healthcare professionals focus on addressing excessive gaming habits in early adolescence, rather than waiting for more severe issues to arise. It stressed the need for both boys and girls showing signs of problematic gaming to receive appropriate support, as the risks are significant for all individuals.