According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 8.5% of children aged 8 to 18 years suffer from disorders associated with the online games. This files most often have young gamers are diagnosed with ADHD or depression.
Why are these phenomena related?
There’s no scientific evidence that video games cause ADHD. However, there are alarming statistics: the more children play, the more likely to exhibit symptoms of this disorder.
In July a team of scientists from California reported a disappointing Outlook for adolescents, dependent on gadgets, according to experts, they have the risk of ADHD is increased in 2 times. Especially dangerous were video chats and computer games.
When the game becomes dangerous?
According to studies, gambling becomes a problem when the child begins to devote more than 9 hours a week. However, it is much smaller than the actual modern norm. Psychology Professor Jean Wang in 2016, it is estimated that 10% of U.S. eighth graders spend in front of screens not less than 40 hours per week. It’s almost 6 hours a day.
However psychiatrist Kuroshi Dini, author of the book “video games and addiction: a guide for parents”, argues that time is not important. Much more important is how well the child copes with their daily business. “If he all, I didn’t pay attention to the number of hours (spent at the computer),” says Dini.
Why children with ADHD suffer from gaming addiction?
Patients with this diagnosis have a penchant for extremes, their attention is either scattered, or “Hyper-focused” on one subject. And games work as “crutches for attention.” Sounds, lighting, special effects, music – all this makes you concentrate.
However, the games do not solve problems with care in everyday life: this is a study of Singaporean scientists. People suffering from severe forms of addiction, become more impulsive and less attentive. It is a vicious circle.
Scientists also suggest that people with ADHD do “self-medicate” through games. They trigger bursts of the substance responsible for pleasure – dopamine. And drugs that increase dopamine levels, help to reduce the time spent playing.
Are there any advantages from video games?
Yes, and they’re not so little. Studies show that video games develop spatial thinking is not worse than special courses for high school students. And it is important for children who want to make a life with architecture, technology, engineering and many-many areas.
Another plus is the development of skills of working with other people. In online games often gather the whole team who have to constantly communicate and to learn to work in unison. But there is a minus: other teenagers can brutally criticize your child for “combat” and fail to instill self-doubt.
Can video games cause real addiction?
The world health organization added “gaming disorder” in the list of the International Classification of Diseases (DSM-5). In fact, computer games equated to alcohol, nicotine and gambling. But a note indicates that this topic requires further study.
A case that occurred in South Korea in 2010, fueling fears of specialists. The couple pleaded guilty of the manslaughter of their three-month daughter died of starvation, while the parents each day for 12 consecutive hours played in Internet cafes. Near the body police found a bottle of milk, covered with mold.
Now scientists continue to discuss the topic of addiction from video games. However, evidence that this is a real disease, has already collected a lot.
A study in 2011 showed that the gamers, like gamblers, changing the structure of the brain. In addition, according to scientists from Germany and Canada, more than 25% of adolescents after the games with virtual coins, move on to real money.
How to understand that the child’s addiction?
Here are the symptoms that indicate this:
- He has violated the regime of the day because of games;
- All other interests have faded into the background (including communication with family);
- A teenager can not control the time spent at the computer. He plays even when facing challenges in school or quarrels with family;
- If he deny to play, there is a withdrawal syndrome: nervous breakdowns, depression, panic
- He’s trying to reduce the time spent on the game, but it does not work;
- The child feels euphoric during the game. He says that “escapes” from the real world;
- Teen cheating and especially understates the time spent in front of the screen;
- The last time he for no reason gained or lost weight. May have pain in the back, head and wrists.
If these symptoms are familiar to you, baby you need to show the doctor.
What is the result?
The assumption that video games cause ADHD, not proven. But they can aggravate already existing disorder: patients may unknowingly use video games to better cope with the problem. Ultimately, however, this is not just solve the problem and make it worse and cause dependence.
Why the world health organization has included gambling in the International Classification of Diseases, tell more in detail in the article “who recognized the dependence of computer games by the disease”.