Video Game Addiction – Injuries and Litigation

Publish Date : 11/14/2024

Video game addiction, officially recognized as a mental health issue by the World Health Organization in 2018, affects around 15% of gamers, with 4% developing pathological addiction. This issue is especially prevalent among adolescents and young adults (ages 15–34). Gaming addiction ranges from mild to severe and is characterized by compulsive gaming despite negative impacts on personal, educational, or professional life.

Signs of Video Game Addiction include:

• Unsuccessful attempts to stop gaming
• Preoccupation with gaming
• Gaming to escape problems
• Neglecting responsibilities, personal hygiene, and health

Parents often try to address their child’s gaming issues, which can be challenging as many young people don’t recognize gaming as a problem. Effective intervention strategies include collaborative approaches, setting family gaming limits, and modeling healthy behaviors.

In severe cases, professional help may be necessary. Specialists can provide tools to manage gaming addiction, address underlying issues, and encourage healthy behaviors.

McSweeney / Langevin is providing legal advice and representation to families harmed by video game addiction.