Online gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A review of empirical research

Abstract

Background and aims:Research suggests that excessive online gaming may lead to symptoms commonly experienced by substance addicts. Since games are particularly appealing to children and adolescents, these individuals may be more at risk than other groups of developing gaming addiction. Methods: Given these potential concerns, a literature review was undertaken in order (i) to present the classification basis of online gaming addiction using official mental disorder frameworks, (ii) to identify empirical studies that assess online gaming addiction in children and adolescents, and (iii) to present and evaluate the findings against the background of related and established mental disorder criteria. Results: Empirical evidence comprising 30 studies indicates that for some adolescents, gaming addiction exists and that as the addiction develops, online gaming addicts spend increasing amounts of time preparing for, organizing, and actually gaming. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that problematic online gaming can be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction rather than a disorder of impulse control.

Validation of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) and evaluation of the nine DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder criteria

“…The assessment of problematic gaming (or gaming addiction) has been subject of controversy since it has gained scientific attention (Griffiths, Király, Pontes, & Demetrovics, 2015;King, Haagsma, Delfabbro, Gradisar, & Griffiths, 2013;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012). Over 20 instruments have been developed to assess problematic gaming but few have been properly validated and the lack of consensual definition led to inconsistencies in the assessment criteria (see King et al, 2013;Király, Nagygyörgy, Koronczai, Griffiths, & Demetrovics, 2015;.…”

Mom, Dad It’s Only a Game! Perceived Gambling and Gaming Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults: an Exploratory Study

“…Frostling-Henningsson, 2009) and gambling (Wood & Griffiths, 2002) and the feelings that are triggered by gambling (Griffiths, 1991a;2011a) and video gaming (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b).…”

“…Consequently, young people's access to interactive games through game consoles, handheld players, computers and Internet has also increased (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b). Furthermore, online video game playing is most time-consuming leisure activity during adolescence, and adolescents are among the Internet's most avid users (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010).…”

“…Due to the growing evidence suggesting that youth are at increasing risk for developing gambling and gaming problems Kuss & Griffiths, 2012b), and given the widespread availability of legalized gambling venues which make more underage youth to engage in those activities (Messerlian, Derevensky & Gupta, 2005), it has become important to explore young people's perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of gaming and gambling behaviors. In fact, according to Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), it is thought that belief (i.e., an individual's subjective knowledge and the perceived costs and benefits of the behavior) influences attitude (i.e., an individual's positive and negative feelings about a particular behavior), that in turn shapes behavioral intention.…”

“…Previous studies into online gaming carried out with adolescents showed that the main motivations for playing these games were entertainment and leisure, emotional coping, escaping from reality, satisfying social needs, need for achievement, need for excitement and challenge, and the need for power (Wan & Chiou, 2006;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b). Research into online gaming conducted by Seok and DaCosta (2012), revealed that highly engaged adolescents perceive online gaming as a positive experience, in which MMORPGs constitute the preferred games types mentioned by participants.…”