Video Games: Innocent Fun or addictive menace?

If your child was seriously injured due to video game addiction, Van Law Firm Can Help

Video Games are everywhere and there is hardly anyone who does not know what they are. More than 200 million people play some form of video games in the United States. But many parents notice that their child has an unhealthy relationship with video games. 

For many people and children, video games are enjoyable way to pass the time. They can stop when they need to and enjoy playing responsibly. But, if your child’s health is severely affected by video game addiction or gaming disorder, Van Law Firm may be able to help. 

What are signs that your child is addicted to video games?

• Have you noticed that your child is playing video games instead of coming to dinner?
• Does your child self-isolate in their room when you take away their video games?  
• Has your child lied about how much time video games they spent playing to you? 
• Does it seem like your child plays video games to escape from reality? 
• Has your child lost friends because of video games? 
• Has your child having problems with their wrists and hands? 

If you notice any of these signs, your child may suffer from video game addiction.

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Why are children addicted to video games addictive?

From the beginning, video games were known for being addictive. Modern game developers are creating games that are far more addictive. Here are few game mechanics that they use.  

First, video games have learned much from gambling to the point that many modern games designs are compared to slot machines. Like slot machines, video games use frequent and variable rewards. Each time a player plays a slot machine, they get different results very quickly. Video games have similar mechanics where each time a child completes a short in-game action, that child is rewarded with a different reward. It could be a cool picture, a cool gun, or nothing of value. Many adults are stuck to a slot machine, and a child can be stuck to a video game. 

Many video games use tricks that social media company use to hook their user. Many games, especially those played by teens, are multiplayer games played by friends and others. This allows a child to bond with others playing the game. Bonding with friends is a good thing, but it can quickly become unhealthy. A child may be stuck to the video game because of the fear of missing out with spending important moments in the game with friends or the fear of falling behind in the game.

Video game developers mask the true cost of item by using in game currency and microtransactions. Many games allow a child to use real-world currency to access in-game rewards. A child may buy items for 100 gold to buy an item to impress their friends or complete their collection and spend $5 without even knowing it. 

Current medical opinion on Video Game Addiction

The World Health Organization (WHO) added gaming disorder as a disease in 2018. WHO mentions that the study suggests that only a small proportion of those playing games are affected by gaming disorder.  But everyone should be alert about their gaming time and the effects of games on their mental, physical and social health. 

The American Psychiatric Association began investigating Video Game Addiction in 2013 but only added internet gaming disorder as a disease in 2022. The prevalence of internet gaming disorder is still being researched. On one hand, there is evidence that only 0.3 to 1% of the population qualify for this diagnosis. On the other, there is research that it is more prevalent, especially after the COVID pandemic. Still, other researchers believe that gaming disorder is a symptom of a different underlying disease. 

While both WHO and American Psychiatric Association acknowledge that too much video game usage is harmful, researchers are uncertain why video games are so addictive. Researchers are suggesting that video games trigger release of dopamine. There is research that suggests the brains of people addicted to video gaming are similar to those with substance addiction. 

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Common Video Game Addiction Injuries

Your child may be eligible for compensation for financial and non-financial losses incurred because of injuries due to video game addiction. Common allegation for child video game addiction includes 

• Gamers Thumb
• Gaming Disorder
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Internet Gaming Disorder

Common treatments include

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Medications
• Counseling

Common Symptoms include

• Play multiple hours as much as 12 to 14 hours per day
• Social isolation from friends and family due to playing video games
• Drop in grades and extracurricular activities
• Not showering and inability to take care of themself
• Physical pain due to repetitive action

Common games include

• Call of Duty series
• Grand Theft Auto Series

During your initial consultation, an experienced personal injury attorney from Van Law Firm will ask specific questions about yours or your child’s condition to determine if you have a viable case. We will also review your medical records to confirm an official diagnosis, any relevant hospitalizations, and how many. All of this information can serve as valuable proof of serious injury at trial.

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Video Game Addiction and mass torts

To date, there is no multidistrict lawsuit consolidated yet. Still, there are similarities in the cases that have been filed. Plaintiffs claim that game developers and publishers target children and young adults who cannot appreciate the risks of playing addictive video games. These video game developers and publishers failed to warn and failed to use less addictive designs for their video games. 

Still, it was decided that the games were too dissimilar due to different games and defendants to consolidate the cases.  If more parents file for their children’s injuries, it may be consolidated to a multidistrict lawsuit so that many children can be compensated for their injuries. 

Contact Van Law Firm to Discuss Your Child’s Video Game Addiction Case Today

If your child is addicted to video games and is suffering from any of the injuries we have mentioned, you are not alone. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Van Law Firm to discuss your situation today. 

Our dedicated team can quickly and easily assess your unique circumstances to determine whether you have a viable case. If so, we will share our recommendations regarding your options for legal recourse.

And, while video games and screen time can be addictive, this does not mean that computers and screen time are bad. Did you know that Van Law Firm donated 5 laptops during COVID pandemic so that children can attend school remotely? Sandy Van helped children attend school and obtain the education they needed.