Internet Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research

Abstract

The activity of play has been ever present in human history and the Internet has emerged as a playground increasingly populated by gamers. Research suggests that a minority of Internet game players experience symptoms traditionally associated with substance-related addictions, including mood modification, tolerance and salience.Because the current scientific knowledge of Internet gaming addiction is copious in scope and appears relatively complex, this literature review attempts to reduce this confusion by providing an innovative framework by which all the studies to date can be categorized. A total of 58 empirical studies were included in this literature review.Using the current empirical knowledge, it is argued that Internet gaming addiction follows a continuum, with antecedents in etiology and risk factors, through to the development of a "full-blown" addiction, followed by ramifications in terms of negative consequences and potential treatment. The results are evaluated in light of the emergent discrepancies in findings, and the consequent implications for future research.

Mom, Dad It’s Only a Game! Perceived Gambling and Gaming Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults: an Exploratory Study

“…Indeed, many participants reported that gaming was a way of living. This is not surprising as many studies have noted that such games attract millions of people all over the world (e.g., Chappell, Eatough, Davies & Griffiths, 2006;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;Yee, 2005). The recent development of MMORPGs has created a new experience for gamers (Smyth, 2007), that has generated an increase of research in this field.…”

“…Frostling-Henningsson, 2009) and gambling (Wood & Griffiths, 2002) and the feelings that are triggered by gambling (Griffiths, 1991a;2011a) and video gaming (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b).…”

“…Consequently, young people's access to interactive games through game consoles, handheld players, computers and Internet has also increased (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b). Furthermore, online video game playing is most time-consuming leisure activity during adolescence, and adolescents are among the Internet's most avid users (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010).…”

“…Therefore, more research is needed in order to explore the advantages and disadvantages of playing video games -especially online gaming, since it has been claimed that it is one of the most addictive activities on the Internet (Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a).…”

“…Previous studies into online gaming carried out with adolescents showed that the main motivations for playing these games were entertainment and leisure, emotional coping, escaping from reality, satisfying social needs, need for achievement, need for excitement and challenge, and the need for power (Wan & Chiou, 2006;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012a;2012b). Research into online gaming conducted by Seok and DaCosta (2012), revealed that highly engaged adolescents perceive online gaming as a positive experience, in which MMORPGs constitute the preferred games types mentioned by participants.…”