”Who wants to play ‘Adopt me?’’’ These are famous words from a friend of mine who constantly asks if anyone wants to join her on Roblox. No matter where she is at or what time it is, you can find her playing that game. Although, she is not the only one who plays video games almost 24/7. Lately, teenagers have been playing video games more than ever to the point of forming an addiction. If the addiction gets stronger, not only would it affect their physical health but their mental health too. Teenagers should limit their screen time playing video games in order to avoid gaming addiction.
Gaming addiction or gaming disorder is a condition where one loses control of their gaming habits, leading to prioritizing gaming over other responsibilities and corresponding consequences. A research conducted in 2023 by Pew Research Center noted that 85% of U.S. teens play video games with 41% playing at least once a day.
As time playing video games increases, gamers can experience physical pain. According to an article titled “The health effects of too much gaming” from Harvard Health Publishing, gamers develop carpal tunnel syndrome, the inflammation of a nerve in the wrist. This causes pain and numbness because of overuse injuries. They can also experience the “Gamer’s thumb,” where the thumb swells and gets stuck in a bent position. Lastly, they can develop tennis elbow which is a painful inflammation in the tendons that leads to difficulty in gripping any object.
Besides the negative effects gaming has on physical health, it also disrupts sleep, which affects the mental health of a person. A research article published in the Journal of Management Information and Decision Sciences states, “Insufficient sleep means getting less sleep than needed, which is considered a serious health risk due to negative mood, attention and academic performance. Game addicts have poor health compared to non-addicted people.” It continues to elaborate that mental issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and even suicidal risks are related to sleep duration caused by gaming addiction.
Gaming addiction can also disrupt a person’s academic life. For example, we all have that one classmate or friend who opens their laptop and the first thing they do is play their video game. Even when the teacher is lecturing or when others are doing their work, they continue playing, ignoring their academic priorities. Playing games not only distracts them but it can also distract their peers around. I have to admit that I sometimes peek at that person’s computer because the game seems intense and it’s much more entertaining to watch than doing my work. Next thing I know, I wasted more valuable time watching someone play video games than finishing my assignment.
I don’t usually play video games but I have seen how mobile games have affected my life, especially my sleep schedule. Before going to bed, I have started to play several games such as word search puzzles or other related games. I started to play with the mentality that it’s a way to relax from a long day. Although they are harmless games, I’ve started to sacrifice my sleep just to play one more round. The next day I regret not sleeping enough because I am more tired and my mood is cold in the morning. I realize I need to stop this cycle before it becomes a daily habit or worse, an addiction.
But hope is not lost. There are methods that can help with gaming addiction, one being cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talk therapy to help people identify and change negative thoughts or behavioral patterns. This form of therapy is the most efficient based on studies according to an academic journal found in the National Library of Medicine. A less drastic method can be setting a time limit on gaming. Limiting playing time to only a few minutes less than your usual time are small steps that can lead to a greater accomplishment.
Having a healthy balance with video games is crucial to avoid gaming addiction. If the addiction does worsen, don’t worry, there are still ways to get out of it with help from others. You owe it to yourself to protect your overall well-being even if that means limiting what you love most, gaming.
