However, as we become more reliant on video games and internet use during the pandemic, a new public health threat emerges: internet gaming disorder. In 2018, the World Health Organization classified internet gaming disorder as a diagnosable condition in the International Classification of Diseases. According to the WHO, gaming disorder is a pattern of uncontrollable and compulsive gaming behavior that takes place for at least 12 months. As internet gaming disorder is a relatively new condition, researchers are still trying to uncover the complex mechanisms behind it. Internet gaming disorder is a serious public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 08, 2021 17:15 UTC