This coronavirus pandemic has lots of dark sides spreading around the world, where people are getting ill and die, the closing of schools and workplaces, the overloading of healthcare facilities, facing job loss, companies having fear of bankruptcy, the stock market at the verge to collapse, and many more activities that held giving a strong impact on the economy. And now, countries are spending billions in hope of medical aid. Meanwhile, the global video game industry is progressing. When people adjusting with social distancing and minimum business activity, the gaming platform provides an engaging distraction for people at home.
The COVID-19 outbreak has posed significant challenges across the globe. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are required to stay at home to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease, including young people. As of 25 April 2020, around 1.5 billion children have been out of school and as a result, many of them may be spending more time on screens to complete online activities as part of homeschooling, socializing with peers or playing video games given that outdoor activities may be restricted due to lockdowns. Young people can be particularly vulnerable to the harms associated with excessive screen time or gaming including unhealthy sedentary lifestyles, exposure to harmful content (violent or sexual), misinformation about COVID-19, cyberbullying, development of gaming disorder, or engagement in online gambling.
Over the last three-and-a-half-month, there is a huge growth in playing time and sales in the gaming sector. Many Gen-Zers and millennials have taken gaming to cope up with the time being caged at the hope or worrying about delays in exams and results. It has been observed that there is a 30% increase in gaming addiction. The global video game market has forecasted that it will have a revenue worth $159 billion in 2020, around three times the music industry revenue, and four times the box office revenue. India is among the top five mobile gaming market in the world.
It has been observed that there is a clear link between the increase in gaming addiction in college students and examination as well as COVID related stress. The study published by the Indian Journal of Public Health, claims that post the lockdown 50.8% of the participants will spend more time gaming.
Children diagnosed with gaming disorder. If your child has been previously diagnosed with gaming disorder it is important to continue treatment, if possible during this pandemic. If quarantined, isolated or locked down at home, keep in touch with your child’s therapist or other medical caregiver by email, phone or other remote communication methods.
In case, you feel that the child has been more and more engaging in gaming activities or is using more screen than usual or getting habitual to it, it’s better to consult someone who is an expert from the field or understands children psychology and is well aware about the depressing thoughts and anxiety that is posed by this isolation and quarantine. Serene Retreat is one of the leading Addiction and Mental Health Treatment provider based in Malaysia with its branches locally and abroad which is working for the betterment of the people and working on their treatment processes with all the SOPs in practice and continue to bring healthy positive changes in their lifestyles. For more information about our treatment programs you can reach us via Call/Whatsapp +60 14-687 2268 or visit our website www.sereneretreat.com.my.
