A groundbreaking study tracking children for eight years has found that one out of every ten boys is at risk of developing problem gaming behaviors. Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a behavioral condition characterized by excessive gaming that can lead to significant disruptions in daily life, including impacts on school performance, relationships, and mental well-being. The research, conducted by Nottingham Trent University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and RMIT University in Melbourne, monitored over 800 children in Norway from the age of 10 to 18.
The study highlighted that the age of 12 is critical, as ongoing excessive gaming beyond this point significantly increases the likelihood of future issues. Those who reduced their gaming habits or lost interest during their teenage years generally fared better.
Dr. Daria Kuss, Associate Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of early interventions tailored to teenagers to prevent the onset of internet gaming disorder. While the majority of young gamers do not experience harm, a significant minority are susceptible to developing patterns of gaming that can disrupt their lives and well-being.
Published in the journal Addiction, the study identified two main types of IGD symptoms. Through face-to-face clinical interviews and assessments conducted at five intervals over eight years, researchers observed more than 3,200 instances. By the age of 18, approximately 10% of boys and 2% of girls had met the criteria for IGD at least once.
The study revealed that heavy gaming involvement steadily increased from age 10, peaking in mid-adolescence before declining sharply by age 18. Negative consequences remained consistent throughout the teenage years. Symptoms of IGD at age 10 showed weak correlations with later adolescent symptoms, indicating that early signs often naturally diminish. However, from age 12 onwards, increased heavy gaming predicted a higher risk of negative outcomes.
Boys were found to be three to five times more likely than girls to develop IGD, but when girls exhibited symptoms, the associated negative consequences were equally severe. Lead author Professor Lars Wichstrøm from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggested that early adolescence presents an opportunity for intervention before problematic gaming behaviors become deeply ingrained.
The study recommended that parents, schools, and healthcare professionals focus on addressing excessive gaming in early adolescence rather than waiting for more serious issues to surface. Both boys and girls displaying signs of problematic gaming should receive support, as the risks are significant for both genders.