World Health Organization Classifies ‘Gaming Disorder’ as a Mental Health Condition

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Parents across the globe are worried about their children’s mental health state, as some play for hours and hours with their friends on these highly addictive games, and now the World Health Organization has announced that ‘gaming disorder’ will now be classified as a mental health condition, which will require treatment. Some people see the logic in this and have compared it to gambling, as gambling elicits a feeling of excitement, and can become very addictive, which is similar to when you play games like Fortnite. Both produce feelings of happiness, excitement and sometimes even a sense of worth, as it makes people feel good about themselves. Unfortunately, people keep going to games, or gambling to get this feeling, which therefore produces addictive behaviour.

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However, some people think that the WHO and parents are being over the top and dramatic and that kids are just being kids and playing games that are fun and exciting. Even some have suggested that these games are keeping young teenagers safe, and are helping them to meet new people, making them more social, but also straying them away from other dangers such as drugs, smoking and alcohol, which usually are experimented with when young teenagers meet new people and want to try new things.

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Although, in the world today where many people meet their friends over the Internet and through a screen, the joy in actually being social has decreased, and, personally, I feel like this is a step in the right direction, as not only children and young teenagers are spending hours on these games, but adults too, which could cause other health disorders in the long run.

What do you think? Do you think the WHO have taken it too far this time? Do you feel like this is a step in the right direction? Let us know in the comments, or on Twitter at @WhatsTrending.

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