Case Info
Frequent and chronic video game playing has become a major concern for many families with children. Addiction to video game playing may pose serious risks to children, teens, and other vulnerable users of the platforms. It may have with mental and emotional consequences and may contribute to financial loss for parents and caregivers of children, adolescents and teens who become addicted to internet gaming.
Video game makers have been accused of psychological manipulation of children which may result in addictive behaviors surrounding video games such as Minecraft, Fortnight, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) and others. Digital app stores and other tech companies have also been accused of negligence and failure to adequately warn people who download the programs.
Companies who may have engaged in these practices include:
- Epic Games (Fortnite)
- Microsoft (Minecraft)
- Nintendo (Nintendo Switch games)
- Roblox Corporation (Roblox)
- Rockstar Games / Take-Two Interactive Software (Grand Theft Auto)
- Activision / Blizzard (Call of Duty)
- Sony (Sony games)
- Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed)
- Electronic Arts (Battlefield, The Sims and others)
Your child’s videogaming addiction may have caused psychological, emotional and financial damage. If you or a loved one had to seek medical treatment for video game addiction, compensation may be available.
Video Gaming May Negatively Affect Children and Families
Teens, adolescents and children may be particularly vulnerable to internet video gaming addiction. Families report that children may be spending unhealthy amounts of time, up to 14 hours a day gaming.
Game makers have been accused of practices that encourage unhealthy and harmful practices and have been accused of collaborating with behavioral, psychology, and neurology experts to refine addictive characteristics which keep videogame players engaged.
Addictive characteristics may include:
- Game features which compel children, adolescents and teens to spend hours on gaming including endless progression systems and daily “streak” rewards
- In-game purchases to obtain status or advantages while playing
- Reward features with variable, unpredictable timing to encourage frequent and continued gaming such as “loot boxes” and other rewards which mimic slot machines
- Other features such as “countdown” timers which encourage impulsive purchases and continued play
- Negative emotional feedback which may lead to feelings of anger and loss
- Failure to warn of risks of addiction and possible consequences of long-term gaming
Thousands of children, adolescents, and teens may have been affected by video game addiction. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated that internet gaming addiction may increase the risk of mental harm, including serious concerns of suicidal ideation, particularly in children, teens and adolescents.
Potential Harm of Constant Video Gaming
Chronic video gaming may result in psychological, emotional, mental and financial harm. Video game addiction, also known as “internet gaming disorder” has been recognized by respected medical institutions including the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a condition that may be similar to gambling addiction. Video game addiction is now also recognized by mental health professionals across the country, and the disorder is now listed as an official diagnosis in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
PoteSome families have reported that their children spent hundreds of dollars in small, frequent in-game purchases to “power up” or purchase “boxes” which may provide unknown weapons or features during the game.
Excessive gaming may result in:
- Addictive behaviors
- Anxiety, Depression, and social withdrawal
- Exacerbation of issues like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Loss of social and developmental interaction with family and friends
- Decreased physical activity contributing to health problems
- Intense feelings of Rage during gameplay resulting in verbal, emotional and physical outbursts
- Failure to maintain grades and academic progress
- Financial loss due to in-game purchases
Physical Harm May be Linked to Excessive Gaming
Children, Teens and Adolescents are not generally thought to suffer from common issues affecting older people. Addictive videogames may increase the risks that young people will fall victim to some of these physical symptoms usually associated with older adults.
Excessive and Addictive Gaming practices may contribute to physical problems including:
- Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain due to muscle strain and poor posture from sitting in one position for long periods of time
- Carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive hand and wrist movement which can cause medial nerve compression resulting in numbness, tingling and weakness in the hands
- Computer Vision Syndrome resulting in eye strain, blurred vision, dry eye syndrome and headaches
- Gamer’s Thumb caused by inflammation of thumb and wrist due to repetitive strain of joystick use and button pressing
- Increased risk of seizures due to flashing lights and rapid, repetitive movements on screen
- Suicidal Ideation due to worsening mental health and social isolation attributed to chronic videogaming.
If you or your child began gaming before the age of 18 and experienced addiction symptoms, required addiction treatment or experienced mental, physical or financial harm after excessive gaming, compensation may be available.