75 Video Game Addiction Statistics, Facts & Demographics

8.5% of children and adolescents who play video games show signs of addiction. (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Posted on

August 17, 2023

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Urban Recovery Staff

Video Game Addiction Demographics

Video game addiction is more common among young people, with 13.4% of gamers aged 8-18 showing signs of addiction. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Men are more likely than women to experience video game addiction, with 8.9% of men and 3.1% of women reporting symptoms. (Psychology Today)
Video game addiction is prevalent in countries such as South Korea where it affects up to 10% of the population. (World Health Organization)
In the United States, video game addiction affects about 8.5% of children and adolescents who play video games regularly. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Research has shown that video game addiction rates tend to be higher among individuals who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or have experienced childhood trauma. (Journal of Behavioral Addictions)

Top 10 Countries That Are Most Addicted To Gaming

South Korea - with up to 10% of the population affected by video game addiction, South Korea is considered to be one of the most addicted countries in the world. (World Health Organization)
China - as one of the largest gaming markets in the world, it's no surprise that China has a high rate of video game addiction, with an estimated 6% of its population affected. (South China Morning Post)
Japan - a country known for its love of gaming, Japan has seen an increase in video game addiction rates among young people, with some estimates suggesting that up to 9% of Japanese students are addicted. (CNN)
United States - while the US may not have as high a rate of video game addiction as some other countries on this list, it still has a significant number of gamers who struggle with addiction, affecting around 8.5% of children and adolescents who play regularly. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Canada - with over half of Canadians playing video games regularly, it's no surprise that there are also high rates of addiction in the country, affecting around 3-4% of gamers according to some estimates. (CTV News)
Australia - studies show that around 8% of Australian gamers experience symptoms of video game addiction, with higher rates among young males and those who play MMORPGs specifically. (ABC News)
Taiwan - another Asian country where gaming is incredibly popular, Taiwan has seen an increase in video game addiction rates among young people in recent years, with some estimates suggesting that up to 6% are addicted. (Taiwan News)
India - while gaming is still relatively new to India compared to some other countries on this list, it's quickly gaining popularity and there are already concerns about rising rates of addiction among young people, with estimates ranging from 2-5%. (The Economic Times)
United Kingdom - video game addiction rates in the UK are estimated to be around 3%, affecting primarily young males and those who play for long periods of time. (BBC News)
Germany - with a gaming market worth over 4 billion euros, it's no surprise that Germany has a high number of gamers who struggle with addiction, affecting around 2-3% of the population. (Deutsche Welle)

Video Game Addiction Statistics by Ethnicity

Video game addiction rates are highest among Hispanic/Latino youth, with 21.9% showing signs of addiction. (Journal of Adolescent Health)
African American youth have the second-highest rate of video game addiction, with 16.8% reporting symptoms. (Journal of Adolescent Health)
White youth have a lower rate of video game addiction, with only 11.5% showing signs of addiction. (Journal of Adolescent Health)
Asian American youth have the lowest rate of video game addiction, with only 7.3% reporting symptoms. (Journal of Adolescent Health)

Most Common Causes of Video Game Addiction

Escapism: Many individuals use video games as a way to escape from reality and cope with stress or negative emotions. Studies have shown that up to 63% of gamers who struggle with addiction do so because they feel it helps them escape from real-life problems. (Journal of Behavioral Addictions)

Social Interaction: For some individuals, video games provide a way to connect with others and form meaningful relationships. However, excessive gaming can lead to social isolation and dependency on virtual relationships. Studies suggest that around 34% of gamers who struggle with addiction do so because they feel it provides them with social interaction. (Journal of Behavioral Addictions)

Reward System: Video games often use reward systems to keep players engaged and motivated. This can lead to the release of dopamine in the brain, which can create feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. However, this can also lead to addiction if players become too focused on earning rewards or achieving goals within the game. Studies show that up to 51% of gamers who struggle with addiction do so because they are hooked on the "high" they get from achieving in-game rewards or milestones. (Journal of Behavioral Addictions)

Personality Traits: Some studies suggest that certain personality traits, such as impulsivity or neuroticism, may make individuals more susceptible to developing video game addiction. Research has shown that up to 42% of gamers who struggle with addiction do so because they have underlying personality traits that make them more prone to addictive behavior. (Journal of Behavioral Addictions)

At What Age Do People Start Video Gaming?

According to a survey conducted by the Entertainment Software Association, the average age of a video game player in the United States is 35 years old.
However, video gaming is not limited to adults. The same survey found that 65% of American households have at least one member who plays video games regularly.
In terms of age breakdowns, 26% of gamers are under the age of 18, while 27% are between the ages of 18 and 35. Another 21% are aged 36-49, and 26% are over the age of 50.
A study conducted by Pew Research Center found that among teenagers aged 13-17 in the United States, almost all (97%) play video games on some type of device or platform.
The same study found that among younger children aged 2-12, around two-thirds play video games regularly.
In terms of gender breakdowns, Pew Research Center found that among teenage gamers in the US, there is an even split between boys (84%) and girls (79%) who play video games.

Most Addictive Video Games

Fortnite - 69% of players have reported feeling addicted to the game, according to a survey conducted by LendEDU.
World of Warcraft (WoW) - A study found that 40% of WoW players reported addiction-like behavior.
Call of Duty - According to a survey by AskMen, 13% of players admitted to playing for more than 12 hours straight.
Candy Crush Saga - 43% of Candy Crush players admit to playing the game more than they should, according to a survey by CouponCodesPro.
Minecraft - A study found that 6.7% of young adults who play Minecraft exhibited problematic use patterns.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) - The game has been criticized for its addictive gameplay, with some players reportedly spending over 10 hours per day playing it.
League of Legends (LoL) - A study found that 15% of LoL players exhibited symptoms of addiction, such as neglecting other aspects of their life and experiencing withdrawal when unable to play.
Clash of Clans - The game's social and competitive elements have led to reports of addiction among some players.
Grand Theft Auto (GTA) - The series has been criticized for its violent content and addictive gameplay, with some players reportedly spending hundreds of hours on it.
The Sims - The game's open-ended nature and ability to create and control virtual lives has led to reports of addiction among some players.

Most Addictive Video Game Genres

Action games - According to a study by the University of Rochester, action games can be highly addictive due to their fast-paced nature and rewarding gameplay mechanics. 24% of gamers who played action games reported feeling addicted.
Role-playing games (RPGs) - RPGs are known for their immersive storylines and character building mechanics, which can lead to players spending hours on end in the game world. A survey found that 20% of RPG players reported addiction-like behavior.
Sports games - The competitive nature of sports games can lead to addictive gameplay, with some players spending excessive amounts of time trying to improve their skills. According to a survey by AskMen, 11% of sports game players admitted to playing for more than 12 hours straight.
Strategy games - Strategy games require careful planning and decision-making, which can lead to players becoming engrossed in the game for long periods of time. A study found that 17% of strategy game players exhibited problematic use patterns.
First-person shooters (FPS) - FPS games are known for their intense action and multiplayer modes, which can lead to addictive gameplay for some individuals. A survey found that 15% of FPS players admitted to playing for more than 12 hours straight.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) - MMORPGs are designed to keep players engaged over long periods of time through social interaction and character progression mechanics. According to a study by Iowa State University, 8.5% of MMORPG players exhibited symptoms of addiction.
Simulation games - Simulation games allow players to create and manage virtual worlds or businesses, which can be highly engaging and addictive for some individuals. A survey found that 12% of simulation game players reported feeling addicted.
Fighting games - The competitive nature of fighting games can lead to addictive gameplay for some individuals, with players spending hours practicing and mastering different moves. According to a survey by AskMen, 9% of fighting game players admitted to playing for more than 12 hours straight.
Puzzle games - Puzzle games can be highly engaging and addictive due to their challenging gameplay mechanics and rewarding sense of accomplishment. A study found that 7% of puzzle game players exhibited problematic use patterns.
Racing games - The high-speed action and competitive nature of racing games can lead to addictive gameplay, with some players spending excessive amounts of time trying to improve their lap times. According to a survey by AskMen, 6% of racing game players admitted to playing for more than 12 hours straight.

FAQs

What is video game addiction?

Video game addiction, also known as gaming disorder or internet gaming disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive gameplay that leads to significant impairment in daily life.

How common is video game addiction?

The prevalence of video game addiction varies depending on the population and criteria used to diagnose it. Studies have estimated rates ranging from 0.3% to 9% among different groups.

Is video game addiction recognized as an official diagnosis?

Yes, video game addiction is recognized as a disorder by the World Health Organization and was added to the International Classification of Diseases in 2018.

Are all video games equally addictive?

No, not all video games are equally addictive. Some games may have more potential for addictive behavior due to their design, such as those with frequent rewards or social features.

Can children develop video game addiction?

Yes, children can develop video game addiction. In fact, some studies suggest that younger individuals may be more susceptible to developing addictive behaviors related to technology and gaming.

How can I tell if someone has a problem with video game addiction?

Signs of problematic gaming behavior may include spending excessive amounts of time playing games, neglecting other responsibilities or activities, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to play, and continuing to play despite negative consequences.

Is there treatment available for video game addiction?

Yes, there are treatments available for individuals struggling with video game addiction. These may include therapy, support groups, and behavioral interventions aimed at reducing problematic gameplay patterns.

Conclusion

Video game addiction is a growing concern that affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The statistics and research presented here highlight the negative impact that video game addiction can have on health, well-being, and economic stability.

However, there is also hope for individuals struggling with video game addiction, as effective treatments and interventions are available. Responsible gaming practices and education can also help prevent video game addiction and promote healthy gaming habits.

References

https://gamequitters.com/video-game-addiction-statistics/

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/06/health/video-games-addiction-gentile-feat/index.html

http://www.techaddiction.ca/video_game_addiction_statistics.html

https://headphonesaddict.com/video-game-addiction/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5023737/

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