What starts as harmless entertainment can sometimes spiral into something far more consuming. What harm could there be in playing a few online games to unwind? This is the primary thought with which one of my close friends started playing online games.
But slowly, almost without noticing, a few online games turned into hours of game play, days blurred, the outside world faded, screen time ballooned to several hours a day, friendships slipped away, work suffered. The breaking point came only when mental health had started dwindling; hypertension cripped in; and normal behavior has been replaced by irritability and silence. revealing just how deep the problem has grown. Even now, despite a deep desire to return to old rhythms, the pull of the game remains—a daily battle between escape and reality. This is the case with one of my close friends.
My friend’s stories are becoming increasingly common. In India, a 2022 study cited by the Times of India found that 3.5% of adolescents met criteria for IGD — with 8% of boys and 3% of girls affected. By 2024, a LocalCircles survey revealed a staggering 66% of urban parents believed their 9–17-year-olds were addicted to screens or games.
“Gaming addiction, like other behavioral addictions, is defined by compulsive behavior despite harmful consequences,” explains Ashita Katariya, a mental health therapist and addictions specialist at Samarpan Health. “It’s not about the hours alone, but the loss of control and interference in daily functioning.”
Online gaming has transformed from a niche hobby to a global industry. In India alone, there are now over 421 million online gamers. The shift from PC-based setups to always-on mobile ecosystems has made games more accessible—and more addictive.
Games today offer more than play—they promise identity, status, and community. Through gamified incentives like daily streaks, loot boxes, and level-ups, players are drawn into psychological loops designed to boost engagement.
“Games are engineered to tap into our dopamine pathways,” says a UX expert from a leading gaming firm who requested anonymity. “Features like intermittent rewards and social competition are intentional. They keep users coming back—much like casinos do.”
Behaviorally, gaming addiction mirrors substance dependencies. It often starts with casual interest, then spirals into compulsion.
“You begin by enjoying the game, but soon it’s about needing it,” says Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Sr. Consultant & Head Psychiatry at Artemis Lite. “Warning signs include neglecting responsibilities, emotional instability when not playing, and social withdrawal.”
Teenagers, individuals with social anxiety, and those isolated during the pandemic are particularly vulnerable. Dr. Mithun Prasad, Consultant, Psychiatry, SIMS Hospital notes a pattern: early stages include time distortion and irritability, while later stages bring sleep disruption, anxiety, and declining academic performance.
The impact of gaming addiction is not limited to mental health—it’s physiological.
Children addicted to gaming are reporting eye strain, insomnia, headaches, and even postural deformities. In one extreme 2025 case, a Chennai teen with a 12-hour daily gaming routine developed a spinal deformity requiring surgery.
“Excessive screen time alters a developing brain’s reward circuitry,” says Dr. Nisha Miriam George, Senior Consultant – Paediatrics & Neonatology at MGM Healthcare, Chennai. “It weakens attention, reduces impulse control, and can contribute to ADHD-like symptoms and emotional numbing.”
Dr. Rajiv Chhabra, Chief Paediatric at Artemis Lite adds, “Overexposure to screens disrupts the prefrontal cortex—affecting decision-making and empathy. Children become prone to instant gratification and show lower emotional intelligence.”
A Bengaluru mother, watched her 13-year-old son drift away over two years. “He stopped playing outside. He’d lie about homework, lash out when asked to log off, and became unrecognizable,” she recalls. It took family counseling and months of screen regulation to restore balance.
In contrast, 20-year-old Arnav Mehta, once addicted to a popular MMORPG, turned his life around after seeking help through a digital detox program in Delhi. “I didn’t know I was addicted until I tried stopping,” he admits.
“Gaming addiction strains relationships as emotional presence disappears,” says Dr. Prasad. “Loved ones feel neglected, which builds tension and isolation at home.”
While developers claim to offer parental controls and screen time alerts, experts question their effectiveness.
“There’s a fine line between engagement and exploitation,” argues Mrunali Patil, Assistant Professor & Counselor at the Department of Psychology, KBP College. “Games incentivize daily logins, timed rewards, and emotional investment—often designed without ethical checks.”
Some digital wellness startups are attempting solutions: screen time management tools, gamified detox apps, and educational workshops. But industry-wide change is still far off.
India’s mental health infrastructure is beginning to respond. Psychologists now use diagnostic tools like the IGD criteria—nine behavioral markers including mood regulation through gaming, hiding gameplay, and loss of interest in real life.
“Gaming addiction is real and diagnosable,” says Dr. Rahul Chandhok. “It should be treated like any other mental health concern.”
Treatment often includes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), digital detox, and family counseling. In severe cases, structured rehabilitation centers offer therapy, lifestyle management, and emotional support. Specialized clinics now operate in cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
But prevention remains crucial. Awareness programs in schools and community centers can help detect early signs and guide intervention.
Unlike China or South Korea, India has limited regulatory frameworks addressing digital addiction. There are no enforced screen-time laws or mandatory in-game warnings. However, pediatricians and mental health professionals are advocating for policy reforms.
“Every pediatric visit should be used to assess screen exposure,” suggests Dr. George. “Waiting rooms can offer books and toys, not just screens.”
Legal experts urge the need for ethical guidelines governing youth-targeted monetization and data collection within games. Child rights advocates call for government-led media literacy campaigns.
Online gaming is not inherently harmful—but without awareness and regulation, it risks becoming a silent epidemic.
As screens become companions, especially for young minds, the challenge is not just to prevent addiction but to build digital resilience. A mindful approach—guided by parents, educators, clinicians, and the industry—can help children and teens enjoy gaming without being consumed by it.
References:
Times of India (2022, 2023), India Today (2024), LocalCircles Surveys (2022, 2024), CyberMedia Research (2025), EY Loco Gamer Survey (2023), inputs from Ashita Katariya, Dr. Mithun Prasad, Dr. Nisha Miriam George, Dr. Rajiv Chhabra, Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Mrunali D Patil.