Addictive gaming
It is worrying to note that Gaming disorder will be recognised as a disease later this year following expert consensus over the addictive risks associated with playing electronic games, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, the disorder will be listed in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), to be published in June. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the condition disproportionately affects younger people more connected to the ever-expanding online gaming world.
Many children of affluent urban families are getting addicted to internet and mobile phone applications in our country. This is the age of information technology and access to internet has become a vital part of modern life. When the world is surging ahead, our youngsters cannot lag behind. Hence they have become accustomed to internet browsing. But too much of anything is bad, as goes the wise saying. Young adults of middle and upper middle class families, who are college or university students, are found as if glued to their seats these days for extraordinary long periods browsing internet. It then becomes like an addiction for them leaving an adverse impact on their physical and mental health.
These youngsters and adolescents spend sleepless nights browsing the internet. This sleeplessness exposes them to many physical and mental problems. Even some minor children spend long hours playing games in the computer and mobile phones. This hampers their concentration in studies and creates problems like backache, neck and wrist pains, anxiety and depression. Browsing internet for educational purpose can help children build up their careers but using the same for unhealthy entertainment purpose may leave a debilitating impact. So, unmonitored and endless access to it may be bane for them instead of boon.
Parents and guardians do not feel comfortable to intrude into the privacy of their grown up children. Taking advantage of it, they enjoy the absolute liberty to do whatever their mind desires. It is imperative for parents and guardians to monitor the activities of the youngsters. Otherwise, chances of their going astray cannot be ruled out. Our young ones need adequate physical exercise like taking part in different games and sports, walking, running and swimming for physical and mental soundness. The same will provide them with proper physical fitness on the one hand and help growth of their mental faculty and confidence. They must be aided, guided and urged by their elders and guardians to overcome their growing internet addiction.
