A total of 36 internationally mental health experts have joined forces with the likes of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) to oppose the World Health Organization’s (WHO) plan to create a new gaming disorder classification.
These experts, from Oxford University, Johns Hopkins University, Stockholm University, The University of Sydney and more, have prepared a paper, titled ‘A Weak Scientific Basis for Gaming Disorder: Let us err on the side of caution’ that will appear in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
The paper asserts that, “Much confusion remains – even among authors supporting the diagnosis – regarding what, exactly, gaming disorder is” and furthers that “the quality of the existing evidence base is low.”
WHO classified gaming as a disorder in January 2018, saying “Gaming disorder is defined in the draft 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
Additionally, the Brazilian Union of Video and Games, Interactive Entertainment South Africa and Korea Association of Game Industry (K-GAMES) today international colleagues from 22 other countries in support of the reversal of the new gaming disorder classification.
“Worldwide opposition to the WHO’s controversial and unproven classification of ‘Gaming Disorder’ continues to grow,” said Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association. “The WHO’s process lacks transparency, is deeply flawed, and lacks objective scientific support. We urge this process to be halted.”
What do you make of the classification?
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