WHO includes gaming disorder as disease
- 5 years ago
The World Health Organization has included gaming addiction as a mental health disease for the first time amid growing global concerns over gaming addiction.
The WHO defined gaming disorder "as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming." It said it will also take into account the extent of daily activities taken over by computer games.
The decision, announced on Saturday, will be implemented by 194 member countries from 2022.
South Korea's health ministry announced it will redefine gaming addiction to reflect the WHO's decision.
But the gaming industry in the country has been opposing the WHO's move, saying it will harm the industry.
The WHO defined gaming disorder "as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming." It said it will also take into account the extent of daily activities taken over by computer games.
The decision, announced on Saturday, will be implemented by 194 member countries from 2022.
South Korea's health ministry announced it will redefine gaming addiction to reflect the WHO's decision.
But the gaming industry in the country has been opposing the WHO's move, saying it will harm the industry.