ESA Wants the World Health Organization to Reconsider Gaming Disorder as an Addiction
Remember when we posted a story just last week that the World Health Organization (WHO) wanted to classify “gaming disorder” as a form of addiction?
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has now fired back, and has issued a statement requesting the WHO to reconsider their earlier proposal.
Just like avid sports fans and consumers of all forms of engaging entertainment, gamers are passionate and dedicated with their time. Having captivated gamers for more than four decades, more than 2 billion people around the world enjoy video games. The World Health Organization knows that common sense and objective research prove video games are not addictive. And, putting that official label on them recklessly trivializes real mental health issues like depression and social anxiety disorder, which deserve treatment and the full attention of the medical community. We strongly encourage the World Health Organization to reverse direction on its proposed action.
Important to note that the WHO’s proposal is only in beta form, and is not final.
Should gaming disorder even be a thing? I mean, do you know anyone who’s as addicted to games as much as alcohol, drugs and the like?
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