Lockdown Lives: Dangers of Gaming

By Mohammed Kabir

It is real, not a conspiracy. 

A manufactured disease that scars the lives of many that even the World Health Organization has classified gaming disorder as a mental health problem.

Gaming disorder is defined as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour so severe that it takes “precedence over other life interests”

Educators, wellbeing experts have long been advocating for tighter controls around gaming due to the concerns for their physical and mental health. So why beat this drum again?

Initially this post was focused on children who have gotten into bad habits of online gaming. 

However, the danger is just as common among the adult generation as it is in the younger generation.

How bad is it?

Adults who grew up during the arcade era and had all the consoles from the Sega’s, Nintendo’s and beyond probably think that games are not that bad.

It didn’t affect them going forward into their adult life, so why the worry, it’s just a bit of harmless entertainment.

Even then, the concerns were there too and nothing happened to us, right?

The dangers now are that games can be played forever, especially the ones that are the most popular and most sought after.

In the early days, a game would only be played for a short period before being completed or game over.

However games are being played longer than ever, they are designed to keep everyone who plays in the game.

How do gamers get addicted?

It’s all based on addiction research when a person is given a reward, the brain triggers chemicals which it likes and gets its momentary high. 

Afterwards, the brain craves that feeling again so it seeks that thing that can give it the same high again.

Gaming nowadays you get rewarded all the time i.e.for completing a level or getting an upgrade.

When you just think I’ve got it, or it’s all over, another big treat or surprise is waiting, hence why games are so addictive.

It’s the thrill, the adrenaline rush, the surprise, the suspense, that people on the outside cannot see but is taking place in that gamers mind that leads them to want to stay in that zone longer. 

Life is just too boring and unexciting.

The stark reality

It can start from childhood, the busy lifestyles of parents take its toll on being available for their kids

Trying to keep kids entertained or preoccupied is easy enough with games, hence convenience comes in the form of an entertainment system.

Kids are happy, you are happy, and safer so you think, at least you know where your kids are.

In adulthood, the need to zone out from the reality of life, the stress of being an independent person, the responsibilities that come with it, the bills, debts, workload or just dealing with boredom or loneliness.

A game can take you to a surreal world where you can be whoever you want to be. You’re in control.

Symptoms of too much gaming

Increased priority to gaming and continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences.

Such as the impact on relationships, social life, studying and work life or spiralling financial costs.

In simple words the loss of control over reality.

Physical health suffers, such as obesity, eyes, headaches, muscle tension etc

Mental health suffers, depression, anxiety, mood, sleep problems etc

Relationships – become non-existent in the real world.

Lockdown has not helped

Work and educational habits in the past helped to regulate the time you could spend having leisure time, 

However, with the current lockdown situation, there is nowhere you need to be.

It can be personal time all the time if no one is keeping you in check.

The situation has exposed a number of things such as how disciplined a person is when there are no rules to govern them.

In isolation, many are struggling to set healthy hours for work, study and for struggling gamers, limiting their free time. 

“Gaming is good for you though”

Sure gaming is fun, helps to develop the brain ability, you are learning new skills, gaming has its benefits… if it’s in moderation.

Just like eating whatever luxury one has the ability to access, it can have harmful effects in excess.

The problem lies in the awareness of when harmless fun becomes addictive.

3 Tips/recommendations going forward

1. Understand how severe or mild the situation is

One thing for sure that doesn’t work is taking the game away midway.

It’s like taking half-eaten candy away from a child. 

Taking something which is highly addictive from the one who has an unhealthy attachment for it, is bound to get an extreme reaction.

2. Get good advice and if necessary, help from the experts.

Children and young adults who are seriously addicted to computer games will now be able to get help on the NHS after the launch of the country’s first specialist clinic.

It is a worldwide issue and some countries are taking drastic measures even though it may not be so apparent in your country.

In South Korea, the government has introduced a law banning access for children under 16 from online games between midnight and 06:00.

In Japan, players are alerted if they spend more than a certain amount of time each month playing games and in China, internet giant Tencent has limited the hours that children can play its most popular games.

3. Ensure games are being vetted and restrictions imposed

When it comes to questionable gaming themes and content – how is that being monitored? 

Or is it left to the internal moral compass that they know what’s right and wrong? 

How do you know that nudity, the gore is not affecting their psyche, their iman?

Did you know? Chess was once banned by a fatwa, due to salah being missed!

Do you know what the scholars are saying on these topics? If not then now is the time to investigate to safeguard their spiritual development.

In Conclusion

It may not be apparent who is addicted or just making the most of their free time during the lockdown. 

If you are concerned about someone just have a chat about how they are in the first instance.

There may be deeper issues that need exploring.

It’s also important to maintain a balance of routines lest you don’t notice when potentially harmful habits are getting out of control.

Have an awareness of what gaming addiction is and be able to know when the line is crossed from just playing a game to nothing else matters but game time.

Naturally, it may not be a concern for some but as an ever-increasing recognised disorder, if action is not taken when effects are seen, the damage will continue being done.

It’s time to act now before it’s irreparable.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Can you recommend any good services? Write in the comments below!

Sources / Further Info

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/10/children-treated-for-computer-gaming-addiction-under-nhs-long-term-plan/

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