Video games Capture Hearts But Does Its Excessive Practice Lead to Medical Disorder?

By: SEE Staff

CAIRO, Jan. 15 (SEE)- Video game makers are trying to prevent "game-related disorder" from becoming a recognized disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which spent years researching the addictive nature of video games, listed 'Play Disorder' on its list of health problems last year, a decision that governments are expected to ratify in May. The ratification has potential implications for health care and health insurance policies.

Video game makers in the United States of America and the World Health Organization said they discussed the issue in Geneva last month.

Stanley Pierre Louis, president of the Entertainment Software Association, said in a statement."We hope, through continued dialogue that we will be able to help the WHO avoid hasty action and make mistakes that may take years to rectify."

The Association called for "further dialogue and study" before making a final opinion on any video game classification.

The WHO said that this disorder as a result of video games affects people's lives for long period at the expense of other activities. The game is appealing to many people despite the negative consequences.

The organisation said that another meeting is being scheduled tentatively this year with the association, but dialogue does not mean cooperation with game makers.

The member states of WHO are expected to begin drawing reports on the video game's turbulence beginning from 2022 to allow the health organisation to follow up in the form of global health statistics.