Experts refer to addiction as a complex behavioral disorder that joins biology, psychology, social environment and culture.Addiction is now defined as a compulsive engagement in a rewarding experience despite severe consequences.

A new framework for Addiction

The World Health Organization officially added a new disorder to the section on substance use and addictive behaviors : “<a href="https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f1448597234">gaming disorder</a>” A gaming disorder is defined as an overly and uncontainable preoccupation with video games — the obsession results in significant personal, social, academic or occupational impairment for at least 12 months.However,  the idea that someone can be addicted to a behavior, as opposed to a substance, remains contentious.

A new disorder

<ul><li>Excessive gameplay is a symptom of a larger problem, like anxiety or depression.</li><li>The fear of possible addiction arrises from moral panic about new technologies, not scientific research or clinical data.</li><li>Making excessive gaming a disorder can harm the gaming industry by stigmatizing their products. </li></ul>

Arguments against gaming addiction

<ul><li>2+ billion people worldwide play video games </li><li>A typical gamer in the US spends 12 hours playing each week.</li><li>60% of gamers neglect sleep to keep playing.</li><li>40% of gamers have missed a meal.</li><li>In 2018, people worldwide spent a collective nine billion hours watching other people play video games on a streaming service.</li><li>South Korea passed a Shutdown Law in 2011, which prevents anyone under 16 from playing games online between midnight and 6 a.m.</li></ul>

Video games are a social problem

Addiction can include:<ul><li>Addiction as a moral transgression, like excessive drinking or drug use.</li><li>Addiction as a scientific disease, which characterize alcoholism and drug addiction as biological.</li><li>Colloquial violation, which applies the term to almost any fixation. </li></ul>The idea that someone can be addicted to a behavior, as opposed to a substance, remains debatable.

The term "addiction"

With the help of hired scientists, <a href="https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131494/behavioral_game_design.php?page=1">game developers</a> have employed many psychological techniques to make their products as unquittable as possible. <ul><li>First, players are enticed with easy and predictable rewards.</li><li>To keep players interested, many games employ a strategy called intermittent reinforcement, in which players are surprised with rewards at random intervals.</li></ul>Some video games punish players for leaving by refusing to suspend time.

Video games are designed to be addictive

<div><ul><li>Video games are alternate realities. We experience great satisfaction from our gaming achievements. When compared, real-life seems so much harder and less gratifying.  </li><li>Video games sometimes provide the guise of genuine social connection. In reality, it can push someone into a dangerously secluded way of life.</li><li>In games, there are rules and defined goals. Progress is quantified. There are no real-world consequences of failure. In essence, gamers gain a sense of inflated purpose and accomplishment. By contrast, the real world seems mostly bland, and self-worth can be difficult to obtain.</li></ul></div>

Why video games feel so addictive

The latest research suggests it's not far-fetched at all - especially when you consider all the societal and cultural factors that make today's games so attractive. Credit... Concept by Pablo Delcan. Photo illustration by Justin Metz. Charlie Bracke can't remember a time when he wasn't into video games.

A new disorder

Can You Really Be Addicted to Video Games?

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