The Effectiveness of Game Coding Education on Problematic Internet Gaming

Abstract

Objective Problematic internet gaming in adolescents is associated with various negative outcomes, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and attention problems. We hypothesized that game coding education, by improving adolescents’ self-esteem, would be more effective than game literacy education in mitigating problematic internet gaming.Methods A total of 126 adolescents who voluntarily applied for the game coding education and game literacy education program of the “Visiting Game Class” project operated by the Game Cultural Foundation participated in this study. We collected data on demographics, gaming patterns, and psychological status, including positive or negative perceptions of online games, depression, and anxiety. We designated those with scores higher than 40 on Young’s Internet Addiction Scale as the “problematic internet gaming” group.Results Only game coding education was significantly effective in decreasing internet use, lowering depressive symptoms, and improving self-esteem. In the hierarchical logistic regression analysis, more frequent education time, coding education, stronger negative perceptions of gaming, and high self-esteem predicted decreased internet gaming among participants exhibiting problematic internet gameplay.Conclusion Game coding education effectively mitigates problematic gaming by improving adolescents’ self-esteem. Thus, it may be beneficial to increase education time and devise game education programs tailored to adolescents’ psychological status.

Comparing the effectiveness of game literacy education and game coding education in improving problematic internet gaming

“…In the study conducted by Soyokan and Kanbul involving 6th and 7thgrade students, the application of coding education resulted in elevated levels of self-efficacy compared to those who did not receive coding education (16). Furthermore, in a preliminary iteration of this study, Chung et al demonstrated that implementing game coding education substantially reduced problematic internet gaming and increased self-esteem (17). Therefore, treatment approaches should prioritize effective problem-solving and the social skills required to improve self-efficacy and self-esteem in adolescents with problematic internet gaming behaviors.…”

“…In our previous study, a positive perception of internet gaming was associated with protective effects against developing IGD. In contrast, a negative perception of internet gaming was associated with a risk factor for IGD (17). Taken together, we may suggest that game coding education can improve the negative perception of internet games in adolescents with a high negative perception of internet games, which may linked with problematic internet gameplay.…”

“…The recent inclusion of a unified definition of IGD in the DSM-5 has spurred a notable increase in research on this disorder. There were various approaches, including cognitive behavior therapy, medications, literacy education, and coding education for treating problematic internet use or IGD (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Compared to traditional treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and medications, game literacy and coding education were considered effective for preventing problematic internet use in large groups of participants by understanding, approaching, interpreting, and evaluating games by considering human factors (10).…”

“…Game coding education is one possible treatment that addresses self-esteem in adolescents with problematic internet gaming behavior (15)(16)(17). Many countries globally are initiating coding programs, recognizing their potential to instill diverse skills beyond coding, such as problem-solving, computational thinking, persistence, confidence, and communication skills (15).…”

“…Based on clinical and psychological scales adopted from past studies on internet usage or internet gaming (17,20), questionnaires evaluating internet usage patterns and clinical scales, including psychological state and underlying diseases, were selected.…”