GAME OVER
»Teenagers affected by excessive binges » Parents warned to look out for signs
PSYCHIATRISTS have started to treat young teenagers for gaming addiction.
Consultants are dealing with a handful of Irish cases for what is classed as gaming disorder – with a warning the addiction is on the rise.
Last year the World Health Organisation confirmed digital games can be addictive and those who use them excessively may need help.
In extreme cases where young teenagers are addicted to gaming, they can be locked into a virtual world for 12 to 15 hours a day. Dr Gerry Mccarney, a consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry, said he is aware of “not a lot, but we have seen some” children doing 24-hour online binges.
DIFFICULTIES
He added: “There are cases that are being referred specifically for what you might term excessive online gaming. I would expect to see more of this.
“The bottom line is you are seeing people engaging in a behaviour past the point where it becomes a problem, it is causing difficulties in their lives and they are unable stop despite ongoing harm. That in a nutshell is what addiction is about.”
Dr Mccarney, who is chair of the faculty of child and adolescent psychiatry at the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, said a group had been set up to examine the effects on the psychological development of children.
He added: “It’s at an early stage but over time we’ll be looking at doing an estimation and audit of what’s coming into our clinics and seeing what the Irish situation may
be. I would suspect there would be a smattering of cases right around the country, but we won’t have necessarily a huge influx of people looking for treatment.
“There will be many cases where they will be looking for advice.”
Dr Mccarney said parents should watch out for signs like withdrawal and mood changes in their children if they are spending excessive time playing online gaming.
He added: “If you look at the individual it’s about the change of behaviour, the two big things would be withdrawal from engaging in the family and then the change in mood.” And he cautioned against over-medicalising online use.
He said: “Like with alcohol or drug use, many people may look at it and decide ‘not for me’ or there are many people like a drink every now and again.
“There are people who will play games from time to time but won’t let it take over their life but there will be a minority for which it will become a problem.” Dr Mccarney said cases of children or adolescents getting up in the middle of the night to play games is a cause for concern.
He added: “They are setting their alarms to fit in with other time zones because [with] many of these games, the base may be in the US or in Asia. If sleep is being disturbed regularly then the pattern falls into disarray and that can have a big impact even for a young child.”
Dr Mccarney also believes parents should monitor the internet use and social media of their children as it is where bullying can go undetected.
He said: “I know there is the whole aspect of the young person’s confidentiality but it is about getting the balance right so you can them keep them safe and so they are not left being vulnerable long-term to bullying, coercion or the darker processes we are aware are there.
“It’s a conversation that needs to happen about how you’re using the internet and social media just as we would ask a person to speak to their children about alcohol and drugs.
“The internet and technology can offer so much in relation to education and entertainment which is safe and appropriate but it also has things which can impact on what you consider to be safe developed.”
You are seeing people engaging in a behaviour past where it becomes a problem
DR GERRY MCCARNEY ON ISSUES OF ONLINE GAMING ADDICTION