Video Games and COVID-19: How Do Lockdown And addiction Interact?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Digital Media Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns significantly altered social interactions and individual well-being.
• Increased reliance on digital platforms for connection and entertainment became prevalent during this period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between lockdown measures, video game usage, and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the impact of video games on psychophysical health, anxiety, stress, and socialization.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of online scientific studies, magazine articles, accredited websites, books, and newspapers was conducted.
• The research focused on analyzing data and information related to the pandemic's impact on gaming behavior.

Main Results:

• Video game engagement demonstrated beneficial effects on users' psychophysical health, aiding in the reduction of anxiety and stress.
• Positive impacts on socialization were observed through video game interactions during the pandemic.
• Concerns were raised regarding excessive and prolonged video game use, particularly for adolescents with prior psychological issues like depression and anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Video games offered a valuable tool for mitigating negative psychological effects during the pandemic, enhancing well-being and social connection.
• Caution is advised concerning potential overuse and addiction, especially among vulnerable adolescent populations.
• Parental monitoring of children's video game consumption is recommended to prevent adverse outcomes.