More than two billion people in the world, according to the World Health Organisation, play video games, including online. Although most do not develop problematic behaviour, it is possible that gaming becomes all-consuming and has a negative impact on daily life and health. Recently, the press has given much prominence to a survey that attributes numerous benefits to video games, from stress reduction to the discovery of new skills. But how reliable are these results? And when does a pastime turn into an addiction?
Doctor, I have read several articles on video games. Is it true that they help against stress?
The results of a survey on this very topic have recently been widely reported in the press. It is a report produced by trade associations of the digital games industry and disseminated during a thematic festival. It is an online survey among those who also engage in this activity professionally. The gamers interviewed reported exclusively on the benefits of their hobby. In percentages ranging from 70 to 80 per cent said they derived mental stimulation, stress relief, and discovered new skills from it. Others regarded video games as an alternative to routine and a remedy for loneliness. Beware, however: these are perceived experiences, not scientifically measured. The survey involved around 24,000 gamers worldwide and the results do not mention any negative effects, unlike many more objective studies conducted with validated research methods.
What is known about the real health effects of digital video games
The extensive literature on the subject shows both positive and negative effects. In general, the benefits found depend on the type of game: if it is a pastime, neither competitive nor aggressive, shared with friends or family, the anti-stress effect is possible. There are also interactive games that support learning, the development of certain cognitive skills and physical disabilities. A review of several studies has found an improvement in attention and motor coordination, but these effects rarely extend to activities other than play. The hypothesis that they stimulate brain functions is to be proven: the memory activated by playing is short-term memory, and problem solving in strategy games is not associated with better results in the study.
And against stress?
Research that has attempted to prove a positive association between video games and anxiety reduction is not always reliable. In fact, it is not easy to confirm the relationship and conclusions are often generalised. In addition to video games based on action and speed, there are simple pastimes, without too many rules, similar to classic games such as chess or solitaire. According to the American Psychological Association, they can promote relaxation. However, being commercial products, the challenge, ranking and scoring mechanisms encourage people to invest more and more time in them.
How does video game addiction arise?
Esistono segnali chiari che indicano quando il gioco sta diventando pericoloso, legati soprattutto al tempo dedicato. Quando aumenta e si ha difficoltà a smettere o ad abbandonare l’ambiente digitale, occorre prestare attenzione. Il rischio è che l’abitudine a giocare online o sui propri smartphone assuma le caratteristiche di una specifica patologia: il disturbo da gioco su internet (Internet gaming disorder). Secondo il Manuale Diagnostico e Statistico dei Disturbi Mentali (DSM-5), la dipendenza dai videogame si riconosce daquesti criteri: i pensieri sono concentrati sul gioco; si prova astinenza (ansia, rabbia, tristezza) quando non si può giocare; il tempo dedicato aumenta progressivamente, a scapito del lavoro o dello studio; le attività diverse perdono di importanza; si mente ai propri cari su quanto ci si senta dipendenti; si utilizza questo hobby per evadere dalle preoccupazioni, provando senso di colpa. Questi sintomi delineano un comportamento patologico e riguardano solo una minoranza di person
