Video game addiction (clinically recognized as Internet Gaming Disorder) is a behavioral addiction where compulsive, uncontrollable gaming severely disrupts daily responsibilities, relationships, and physical or mental health.
It affects about 2% to 10% of the population, often triggering the same dopamine-reward pathways as substance abuse. Anyone who has experienced it knows all too well—video game addiction is real. People of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, are facing very real, sometimes severe consequences associated with compulsive use of video and computer games.
Computer and video games, especially the massively multiplayer online role-playing games (or MMORPGs) such as “World of Warcraft,” allow players to behave very differently from their normal persona. A shy child can suddenly become gregarious; a passive child can become aggressive.
Titles such as “Grand Theft Auto V” and “Fortnite” have enjoyed immense global popularity due to their compelling gaming mechanics and inbuilt online capabilities that allow gamers to play alongside others from across the world. They can be a fun outlet for adults and adolescents alike, but for some, the pull of gaming becomes a more consuming habit.
Video games are becoming increasingly complex, detailed, and compelling to a growing international audience of players. With better graphics, more realistic characters, and greater strategic challenges, it’s not surprising that some teens would rather play the latest video game than hang out with friends, play sports, or even watch television.
Young people, who often feel powerless in their daily lives, suddenly have the ability to command armies, drive (and crash) cars, and wreak havoc on a virtual world with no real-life consequences. This is seductive!
And when that boy or girl is already finding it a challenge in the “real world” to make friends, computer and video games offer a way to interact with others in their “virtual world,” without the distress of face-to-face interactions.
Many teens can play video games a few hours a week, successfully balancing school activities, grades, friends, and family obligations. But for some, gaming has become an uncontrollable compulsion. Studies estimate that 10 percent to 15 percent of gamers exhibit signs that meet the World Health Organization’s criteria for addiction.
The World Health Organization recently added gaming addiction to its drafted disease classification manual (ICD-11). This step may make formal diagnosis easier in the near future.
For some, video games have done more than change the way we entertain ourselves. Gaming should be fun and millions compartmentalize the activity without compromising active, real-life pursuits.
Just like other compulsive and addictive behaviors, adults and teens alike can become so enthralled in the fantasy world of gaming that they neglect their family, friends, work, and school.
Interestingly, gaming addicts are also more likely than their peers to suffer from other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD
Brent Coon & Associates is leading a massive litigation against video game developers.
The firm alleges that the companies intentionally designed their products/platforms to be addictive to young people using psychological tactics similar to casinos. The psychological manipulation designed by these companies caused severe mental and physical harm to young users.
Not only were these companies nefarious in their approach, but they were also fully aware of the damages their products were causing to developing young minds.
The target defendants are Major gaming companies including Epic Games (Fortnite), Microsoft/Mojang (Minecraft), Roblox Corp, Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty), and Rockstar Games (Grand Theft Auto).
The allegations are that developers purposely designed games with “predatory” mechanics, often enlisting neuroscientists to maximize dopamine-driven addiction in children.
And their common injuries are Diagnosed Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), severe academic decline, social withdrawal, physical issues (carpal tunnel), and in extreme cases, suicidal ideation.
In this new Insider Exclusive “Justice in America” TV Special, our news team sits down with Brent Coon and his legal team to discuss the legal strategies and some of the specific challenges and case hurdles this litigation faces, the legal issues they must prove, plus some of the unique aspects of these cases his team faces in court.
For more information, Contact Brent Coon & Associates at https://www.bcoonlaw.com/ (409) 222-2222