In these times when technology rapidly surrounds our lives, it becomes almost impossible to stay away from digital media. We see smartphone use in every segment of society, from adults to children. We are surrounded by this blessing of technology everywhere, at home, at work, on the street. Our lives become easier with the internet network that allows us to connect from one end of the world to another. However, the side effects of these conveniences are starting to enter our lives. The most obvious of these is virtual game addiction. Playing games was a fun way for us to learn about life by imitating and pretending many real events in our childhood, and this activity has existed throughout human history. With the developing world, games started to change and develop. With the activation of the virtual world, video games that have existed since the 1970s began to become more striking. It managed to attract individuals with more liveliness and diversity. These games have a variety that can include not only young people but also individuals of all ages. However, digital games have become an addiction that threatens the younger generation more.
Although game addiction is not yet included in the DSM-5 diagnostic book, which mental health experts use as a basis for diagnosis, it is included in the third annex of DSM-5. It is defined similarly to gambling addiction. It is referred to as "computer game addiction" in the International Classification of Diseases, the medical reference book of the World Health Organization. Game addiction disconnects the individual from his daily life, restricts even simple self-care requirements, negatively affects work and family life, and isolates the individual from real and social life; When he doesn't play, it causes him to feel tense and restless, to experience deprivation of play, to deteriorate his personal and social functions and to become a more lonely and passive individual. At the same time, research has shown that, in addition to these psychological effects, playing digital games for a long time may also cause physiological disorders. Due to intense concentration, the individual may frequently experience problems such as misalignment in the eyes, weakening of vision, distraction, numbness and weakness in the hands, migraine pain, and fatigue.
The main reason for game addiction When we look at the details, the high amount of dopamine that the game sends to the brain creates a pleasure that the person does not want to end. The individual who cannot meet this pleasure in real life begins to turn more to games. We see game addiction more frequently in individuals who are not accepted by their social circle or family, who are not listened to, who feel like a stranger in the environment they live in, and who cannot have much contact with their external environment. In other words, a person who cannot be very active in his social environment begins to show himself more comfortable in the game world with the comfort and opportunities offered by the game environment. This enables him to meet the pleasure he needs. Especially in endless games, the individual feels like he will win if he tries a little harder, and he strives to succeed by spending time for this. Despite losing in the game, the try again message, which is very difficult in real life, is given so easily here, triggering the thought of constantly trying and this time I can succeed. Many preventive methods can be used to cope with game addiction, which is a serious risk factor in childhood and adolescence. The use of phones, tablets and computers, which are gateways to the virtual world where games can be played, may be restricted. Diversifying the real activities that can be done in daily life, encouraging social interactions, directing them to artistic, cultural and sports activities; These are the factors that can prevent game addiction by decreasing the time the individual spends on the game and meeting the pleasure that playing games creates in the individual.
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