The Health Effects of too Much Gaming | Harvard Health Publishing | 3/14/2022

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-health-effects-of-too-much-gaming-2020122221645

Summary: About half of the American population plays video games. Only about 21% are under 18 and while it can be fun there are also some risks involved. Although there are harms there are also some good things about gaming such as being entertaining and a fun pastime, gaming can provide a way for people to interact with each other, a virtual community, as they work together toward completing common tasks. There are some gaming injuries you could get however. Repetitive stress injuries, or overuse injuries, are injuries that come from activities that involve repeated use of muscles and tendons, to the point that pain and inflammation develop. If these injuries are allowed to progress, numbness and weakness can develop, and permanent injury can result. Gaming has also been associated with psychological problems. It is still unknown if gaming addiction or internet gaming disorder is a unique syndrome. According to one study from the American Journal of Psychiatry, between 0.3% and 1.0% of Americans might have an internet gaming disorder. Treatments are still a work in progress as the disorder is not fully understood yet. As with other activities there can be potential harm and benefits. The key to not being harmed very badly is to play under moderation. The harms can be improved, if not avoided all together, by limiting the amount of time playing video games.

3 Fun Facts

1. “Gamer’s thumb,” was previously called “PlayStation thumb”

2. “Gamer’s thumb” occurs when the tendons that move the thumb become inflamed.

3. Vision problems are common complaints of gamers.