Video game addiction, including smartphone gaming, is now being petitioned to be added to the list of mental health disorders, according to the World Health Organization. This applies to smartphone titles whether played on iPhones or Android Phones and other devices.
Member states of the WHO have voted gaming on smartphones and other electronic devices as an “international disease” during the annual convention in Geneva, Switzerland. To this effect, voting on revising the ICD-11, or International Classification of Diseases & Health-Related Problems is now being made.
Furthermore, the organization states that addiction happens when the person is unable to control their playing time and frequency by themselves. They put gaming on top priority and continue even when the addiction has been happening for 12 months or more.
Studies have shown that only a small percentage of people who play games are affected by gaming disorder, but these individuals should be fully aware of how much time they spend compared to their other daily activities.
Revisions made for the ICD-11 should come in on January 1, 2022.
