- Some suggestions for balancing entertainment with responsibility for a safer gaming future
Online gaming has become a ubiquitous form of entertainment, captivating millions worldwide. However, beneath its surface lies a realm where negative impacts and escalating violence are increasingly prevalent.
The advent of the internet revolutionised gaming, enabling players to connect and compete virtually across the globe. From Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs) to First-Person Shooters (FPS), the variety of online gaming genres continues to expand. The immersive nature of these games, coupled with their social elements, has contributed to their widespread popularity.
Nowadays, people’s daily life activities have been changed due to the immense use of the web. The web has turned our existence upside down. In almost everything we do, i.e., communicate, operate offices, play games, or do shopping, we use web platforms, i.e., the Internet. Moreover, the Internet has been considered our preferred medium of everyday communication. Online multiplayer games and communication through social media are preferred choices for kids of this generation. On January 27, 2022, the brutal murder of a female doctor and her three innocent children’s news was reported by almost all national print and TV media that a 17-year-old boy had killed his four family members in Lahore. This news shocked everyone in Pakistan. The most horrible fact was that the boy killed his family members to prove his ability to kill people after being defeated in Player Unknown’s Battle Grounds (PUBG). According to the police investigation, the murderer was a PUBG addict.
For the last few years, our society has faced different consequences in different forms, but due to our police culture, a substantial number of incidents are neither reported nor highlighted in the media. The exponential growth of online gaming has sparked a debate about its consequences and social relationships in society. Our world today is known as a global village due to Internet technology, and it creates a topic-based community, where it also creates new challenges to our society, like privacy, security, crime, identity theft, hacking, viruses, cheating, and violence. Pakistan has witnessed an immense increase in cybercrimes, and unfortunately, in most cases, those who were being engaged in web criminal activities often go unpunished because of the non-availability of substantial evidence. Interestingly, even if the prosecution agency dug out crime evidence and presented it to the court of law, it is impossible to punish them because, in most cases, the culprits use fake identities. Moreover, in Pakistan, the divorce rate has increased by almost 700%, and one big reason behind all these divorce cases was the effect of Internet addiction on marital life.
The psychological toll: While online gaming can be a source of enjoyment, excessive engagement can lead to psychological issues. Addiction is a significant concern, with players often prioritising gaming over real-life responsibilities. The constant stimulation and reward mechanisms within games can hijack the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive behaviour and withdrawal symptoms when not gaming.
Social isolation and alienation: Despite the social aspect of online gaming, excessive immersion can paradoxically result in social isolation. Players may spend hours interacting with virtual avatars while neglecting real-life relationships. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and disconnect from society, particularly among vulnerable demographics such as adolescents.
Escalating violence: One of the most contentious issues surrounding online gaming is its potential contribution to escalating violence. Many popular games feature graphic violence and realistic depictions of combat, desensitising players to its consequences. Moreover, the anonymity afforded by online platforms can embolden individuals to engage in aggressive behavior, leading to toxic environments and online harassment.
Impact on youth: Young people are particularly susceptible to the negative influences of online gaming. Excessive exposure to violent content can desensitise adolescents to real-world violence, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Furthermore, prolonged gaming sessions can interfere with academic performance, sleep patterns, and overall well-being, jeopardizing their physical and mental health.
Negative impact on mental health: Excessive gaming can have detrimental effects on teenagers’ mental health, leading to addiction, anxiety, and depression. The constant stimulation and reward mechanisms within games can hijack the brain’s reward system, resulting in compulsive gaming behaviour and withdrawal symptoms when not gaming. Moreover, the social pressure to excel in online competitions can exacerbate stress and feelings of inadequacy among teenagers.
Impact on academic performance: Prolonged gaming sessions can also have a detrimental impact on teenagers’ academic performance. Excessive screen time can interfere with concentration, sleep patterns, and overall cognitive functioning, leading to declining grades and academic achievement. Moreover, the escapism offered by online gaming can serve as a distraction from real-life responsibilities, further exacerbating academic challenges.
Addressing the issue: Efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of online gaming must involve collaboration between various stakeholders, including game developers, parents, educators, and policymakers. Implementing age-appropriate ratings and parental controls can help restrict access to violent content for younger players. Education campaigns and mental health resources should also be made readily available to raise awareness about the risks associated with excessive gaming.
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Playing online games is a virtual world where kids spend too much time on the web, which is dangerous. PUBG is one of the most popular online games; according to one report, more than 400 million people, including adults and children, play this game every day. Due to excessive use of this virtual world, the majority of kids face mental health problems and become loners. It has been observed that the PUBG game influenced the youth, and after “failing the mission,” a drastic change can be seen. Our society has witnessed a large number of suicide cases due to excessive use of PUBG and other online games. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) is a legislation aimed at addressing and preventing cybercrimes. This Act was enacted in 2016 to combat electronic crimes, but unfortunately, this law is not equipped to regulate online gaming in Pakistan.
The countries that felt that online gaming could be dangerous for their youth have introduced laws to control this negative phenomenon. India, China, Iraq, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Nepal are some countries where their governments banned PUBG to save their youth. World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018 had declared gaming addiction as a mental health disorder as it increases depression and anxiety levels. Now, the question is how we can save our youth so they do not indulge in online gaming.
The repercussions of online gaming can be eliminated or minimised by taking the following steps:
- The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) could launch a campaign to educate people on the consequences of online gaming.
- The PTA should immediately ban PUBG and all similar online games that culminate in inappropriate messages to its players
- The government should restore public parks so that families along with their kids can spend time
- To promote physical games, the governments should establish sports complexes
- HEC and other regulating bodies for academics do not allow any University to enroll students until sufficient sports facilities are available in the institution.
- The government should have a proper mechanism to review the content of online games before allowing streaming on the web
- The government must add new sections in PECA to address new cyber issues
- Block NICs (for different periods) of all those culprits committing cybercrimes.
The youth are the backbone of our country, and we need to protect them. The government must take appropriate measures, as listed above.
Conclusion: Online gaming, while entertaining and socially engaging, harbours a dark underbelly characterised by addiction, social isolation, and escalating violence. As the industry continues to evolve, it is imperative to address these issues proactively to safeguard the well-being of players, particularly vulnerable youth. By promoting responsible gaming practices and fostering a culture of empathy and respect within online communities, we can strive to create a safer and more inclusive gaming environment for all.
The author, Muhammad Iqbal, is a freelance columnist. He is an academician by profession and currently is engaged with Bahria University as Assistant Professor. He could be reached at Mohammad Iqbal miqbal.bu@gmail.com.