HAS YOUR child shown signs or symptoms of video game addiction?
Eiland & Bonnin are representing children and their families in lawsuits against the makers of addictive video games.
Emerging research is showing that video games can be addictive in ways that are similar to gambling and other behavioral addictions, and the problem is widespread. Our law firm is investigating claims that the makers of video games have intentionally made these games with addictive components to keep children playing more and more to the detriment of other areas in their lives and sometimes their physical and mental health.
If your child has shown signs or symptoms of video game addiction, contact our offices for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Video Game Addiction – a Widespread Problem Gaining Attention
Estimates vary depending on the diagnostic tools used, but recent literature suggests that the worldwide rates of video game addiction are comparable to the rates of people with OCD and some substance addictions, and potentially higher than for gambling addiction. The problem may be particularly serious among adolescents.
In recent years, health organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association have published resources that are publicly available for parents and families where video game addiction is an issue. In the literature, Video Game Addiction is referred to in a few different ways, including Gaming Addiction, Internet Gaming Disorder, Gaming Disorder. However, all of these terms have the same basic meaning and refer to the same or very similar conditions.
Recent searches in the National Library of Medicine’s database show over 1700 medical and scientific articles published that reference or study gaming disorder, with more being published every month.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Video Game Addiction?
The American Psychiatric Association publishes a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). They include Internet Gaming Disorder as a condition that deserves further research. The symptoms listed by the American Psychiatric Association in their Manual include:
Preoccupation with gaming
Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away or not possible (sadness, anxiety, irritability)
Tolerance, the need to spend more time gaming to satisfy the urge
Inability to reduce playing, unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming
Giving up other activities, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities due to gaming
Continuing to game despite problems
Deceiving family members or others about the amount of time spent on gaming
The use of gaming to relieve negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness
Risk, having jeopardized or lost a job or relationship due to gaming
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you love, consider seeking professional help and then contact our law firm for a free case evaluation.
Allegations of Wrongdoing by Game Developers
Lawsuits currently on file allege that certain video games contain features that affect the dopamine reward chemistry of the brain in children who spend large amounts of time playing. The lawsuits also point to neuroimaging studies that compare the structure and function of the brains of addicted gamers to normal brains and report effects of video game addiction on developing brains. The litigation alleges that the makers of video games use algorithms, and specially designed psychological tools to keep gamers coming back for more. Lawsuits on file claim that the game developers failed to warn their gamers of the addictive aspects of their games and also failed to safeguard against gaming addiction by using available tools such as age verification and parental controls.