One in 10 gamers suffer from 'pathological' video game addiction

Video game addiction is real in one out of every 10 gamers and can result in mental, social and behavioural issues, according to a new study. US psychologists claim 10 per cent of gamers – a'significant minority' – play in a way that is harmful or causes negative long-term consequences. They fall into what they call a'pathological' gamer category, characterised by excessive time spend playing video games, difficultly disengaging from video games and a'disruption to healthy functioning'. In a survey of adolescents, these'pathological' gamers displayed higher levels of depression, aggression, shyness, problematic phone use and anxiety by as they entered their twenties. Researchers believe their six-year study, the longest ever study on video game addiction, suggests there should be a healthy medium when it comes to gaming, especially during the coronavirus lockdown.