Concerned at the growing addiction among youngsters to online gaming, the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has roped in the Bengaluru's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) to conduct an extensive research in the issue to help frame guidelines to protect consumer interest and streamline the content offered by the industry in the sector.
The study on the "disruptive impulse control behavioral patterns of online gaming that may cause vulnerabilities," will aim to build a predictive and preemptive model for the protection of the growing number of digital consumers on the internet of online gaming, the ministry said in a statement here following a meeting chaired by Consumer affairs secretary Rohit Singh with Nimhans Director Pratima Murthy among others on Monday.
The report will also help the industry ensure the optimum use of technology to minimize risk, Singh said, adding that online gaming often involves compulsive behaviour that can have detrimental effects on mental and physical health. It can consume significant amounts of time and money, leading to neglect of other important activities and financial strain.
The study is aimed at building a responsible digital consumption model based on knowledge, consumption, and practices. Initially, the study will focus on online gaming only, but later digital social media or any other online platform will also be brought under its ambit
The Nimhans will provide valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of internet addiction, especially concerning online gaming, among young people. It will gather comprehensive data and conduct rigorous analysis, so as to help identify key factors contributing to internet addiction and its associated consequences on mental well-being.
The aim is to build a predictive and pre-emptive model for the protection of the growing number of digital consumers on the internet of online gaming.
Dr. Priyanka Yadav, Consultant and psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Greater Noida called the Ministry’s move a much-needed one as “Internet addiction is associated with high rates of depression, stress, anxiety, substance abuse and many other psychiatric disorders.†She said “We have seen a rise in online gaming among youngsters as well as the adolescent population.
“So, yes, a lot of youngsters are becoming addicted to online games and the internet as a whole. If it is only for entertainment and it is not at the cost of other activities that a youngster is supposed to do at his or her age, there is nothing concerning. But if as parents or as caregivers, you feel that the youngsters are spending a lot of time at the cost of other healthy activities in online gaming platforms, then it warrants an assessment by a psychiatrist and timely intervention because it can be helped with. So, just stay aware of the downsides of online gaming and make an intervention as soon as possible.â€
In fact, Nimhans researchers had in 2022 conducted a small study “Effectiveness of Multimodal Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Internet Gaming Disorder†which had called for a larger study to understand the gravity of the gaming online disorder as it can lead to social isolation and personality problems besides congenital issue.
