A recent study has highlighted the effects of excessive gaming and the disorder of online gaming (IGD) among youth, revealing significant differences between genders. Conducted in Hong Kong, the study involved 2,000 primary and secondary school students, with an average age of 12 years. The findings show that 38% of boys self-report as excessive gamers, compared to only 24% of girls, indicating a clear gender gap regarding disorders linked to video games.
Gamers, stop for a moment
The results of the study suggest that male players who engage in prolonged gaming sessions, that is, five hours or more, are at a higher risk of showing symptoms of IGD. These symptoms may include depression, stress, poor sleep quality, and a decrease in educational self-efficacy. On the other hand, children who are not excessive gamers and girls who do not play show lower levels of stress and anxiety, highlighting the psychological implications of high gaming consumption.
Given the relatively new and poorly understood nature of IGD, the study calls for the need for gender-specific interventions to address these mental and physical health risks. The research highlights that, although the results are significant, the size of the studied group is small and not definitive, suggesting that more studies are needed to confirm and expand these findings.
With the growing popularity of video games and online connectivity, the phenomenon of excessive gaming could have a broader impact on youth health. Upcoming studies may help unravel the complexities of this issue, while professionals in the mental health field begin to address these matters in a more specialized way.