NHS England offer to treat gaming addicts

Children who are seriously addicted to computer games will have better access to NHS treatment in England.

Dedicated professionals are now in place to accept referrals for 13-25-yearolds addicted to video games.

It comes after NHS England announced children with gambling addiction could get access to treatment via a dedicated gambling clinic.

The new service for gaming-addicted youngsters is part of the Centre for Internet and Gaming Disorders.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “Health needs are constantly changing which is why the NHS must never stand still – this new service is a response to an emerging problem, part of the increasing pressures that children and young people are exposed to these days.”

NHS England said many other countries are grappling with the issue of gaming and internet addiction.

In South Korea, the government has introduced a law banning access for children under 16 from online games between midnight and 6am.

In Japan, players are alerted if they spend more than a certain amount of time each month playing games.

Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health director, said: “The NHS is rising to the challenge – as it always does – with these new, innovative services, but we can’t be expected to pick up the pieces, which is why tech giants need to recognise the impact that products which encourage repeated and persistent use have on young people and start taking their responsibilities seriously too”.