A recent extensive study tracking children over an eight-year period has found that one out of every ten boys may develop gaming-related issues. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is characterized by excessive gaming that can lead to significant disruptions in daily life, affecting areas such as school performance, relationships, and mental health. The research, conducted by Nottingham Trent University, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and RMIT University in Melbourne, monitored over 800 children in Norway from the age of 10 to 18.
The study highlighted that the age of 12 appears to be crucial, as continued excessive gaming beyond this point poses a higher risk of problems later in life. Those who reduced their gaming habits or lost interest as they entered their teenage years generally fared better.
Dr. Daria Kuss, Associate Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of early interventions tailored to different age groups to prevent the onset of internet gaming disorder during the critical teenage years.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, identified two main categories of IGD symptoms. Researchers conducted face-to-face clinical interviews and tracked symptoms of internet gaming disorder at five intervals over eight years, resulting in more than 3,200 observations. By the age of 18, around 10% of boys and 2% of girls had exhibited IGD criteria at least once.
The research noted a steady rise in heavy gaming involvement starting at age 10, peaking during mid-adolescence, and decreasing significantly by age 18. However, negative consequences remained consistent throughout the teenage years. Symptoms of IGD at age 10 showed weak correlations with later adolescent symptoms, indicating that early signs often diminish naturally. Yet, from age 12 onwards, an increase in heavy gaming involvement was predictive of future negative outcomes.
While boys were three to five times more likely than girls to develop IGD, the severity of negative consequences was similar for both genders. Lead author Professor Lars Wichstrøm from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology stressed the importance of early intervention during early adolescence to prevent entrenched gaming habits that become harder to alter over time.
The study’s recommendation is for parents, schools, and healthcare professionals to address excessive gaming habits in early adolescence rather than waiting for more severe issues to arise. Both boys and girls displaying signs of problematic gaming should receive support, as the risks are significant for all individuals.