A Systematic Review on the Detrimental Impact of Online Gaming on Physical and Pyschological Well-being: Minacious than Drugs

Description

Page: 1849-1851

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17830058

Akanksha Soni¹ and Jasmine Soni² (Department of Psychology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Ahmedabad, Gujarat¹ and MBA Hospital Management, Gurgaon, Haryana²)

Online gaming has advanced into a prevalent digital phenomenon, offering entertainment and social connection but also upsurge in psychological and physical health concerns. This systematic review synthesizes empirical findings from 2009 to 2025 to evaluate the detrimental effects of online gaming addiction on mental well-being, academic performance, social connectedness, and physical health. The review highlights that excessive gaming links strongly with loneliness, depression, anxiety, irritability, poor sleep quality, and diminished empathy. Moreover, the growing prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), recognized by the WHO and ICD-11, underscores its clinical significance. Evidence suggests that prolonged gaming disrupts interpersonal relationships, reduces academic motivation, and contributes to maladaptive coping strategies among adolescents and young adults. Despite a minority of studies acknowledging cognitive or stress-relieving benefits, the adverse outcomes overwhelmingly outweigh the positives. The paper also discusses the Indian government’s 2025 regulatory intervention to mitigate online gaming’s societal and economic repercussions.