Is Your Child Addicted to Video Games?

Child video game addiction is a very real issue. Worldwide, gaming disorder is a recognized mental health condition affecting 8.5% of children between the ages of 8 and 18.

Mounting evidence suggests that some video game developers, publishers, and studios intentionally design some games to be addictive. The principal goal is to push players to spend more time on certain games, which increases the likelihood that they will spend money on in-game or in-app purchases.

Also known as microtransactions, in-game purchases often include cosmetics and customization items, bonus experience points, character upgrades, and more. Microtransactions generated $73 billion in revenue for the video game industry last year, and they are expected to exceed $80 billion in 2024.

Parents, consumer advocates, and others are rightfully concerned about the toll addictive video games are having on young people’s mental health, as well as the predatory tactics used by video game companies. Burg Simpson is currently investigating child video game addiction and exploring what legal recourse the families of addicted children may have.

Attorneys at Burg Simpson are well-known advocates for the victims of dangerous and defective products. Call 888-895-2080 today for a FREE and confidential case evaluation.

What Is Video Game Addiction?

Video game addiction (also known as gaming disorder or internet gaming disorder) is characterized by extreme difficulty controlling the desire to play video games. People who are addicted to gaming often feel a compulsion to keep playing, to the detriment of day-to-day activities, social relationships, and school and work engagements.

Technological developments have made video games accessible everywhere, from video game consoles to personal computers to mobile devices. Any type of gaming (console gaming, computer or PC gaming, or mobile gaming) can lead to addictive behaviors in certain individuals.

Children are particularly susceptible to addiction because their brains are not fully developed. Generally speaking, child video game addiction is defined as:

1. Playing video games for 4 hours a day or more.
   AND
2. Gaming a minimum of 5 days per week.

If your child plays video games 20 hours a week—or more—they may have a problem.

What Are the Symptoms of Gaming Addiction?

Individuals with a video game addiction prioritize playing video games over other aspects of life. They may ignore family and friends, schoolwork, employment obligations, and even essential daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and bathing in favor of gaming.

Symptoms of video game addiction in children and adolescents may include:

• Constantly thinking about playing video games (preoccupation)
• Feelings of anxiety or depression when not playing (withdrawal symptoms)
• Requiring more and more time to obtain enjoyment from gaming (tolerance)
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficult or combative behavior when told to stop playing or devices are taken away
• Loss of enjoyment or interest in other activities
• Feeling like they “need” to play video games to be happy
• Trying to hide the amount of time gaming and/or money spent on in-game purchases

Children who are addicted to video games may become increasingly withdrawn and exhibit antisocial behaviors. Parents may also observe a decline in grades and academic performance, as well as a lack of interest or initiative in extracurricular activities.

How Video Game Addiction Can Affect Children’s Health

Research suggests that child video game addiction is associated with obesity, which can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Habitual gamers may experience physical injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and inflammation of the tendons in the wrist and thumb (known as “gamer’s thumb”).

Addiction to video games may also adversely affect cognitive function, including memory, focus, and problem solving. Researchers are investigating the connection between video game addiction and psychological conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder; these conditions may be a risk factor for gaming disorder, and the symptoms may be exacerbated by excess gaming.

Do You Have a Case?

Game designers and publishers failed to warn parents about the potentially addictive effects of their games. They also failed to implement parental controls and other measures to reduce the potential for addictive behavior.

Burg Simpson is committed to holding game developers accountable for the harm caused to children and teenagers by exploitative game design and mechanics. Litigation involving addictive video games is in the early stages, but we welcome inquiries from concerned parents.

The best way to find out if you have a case is to contact Burg Simpson. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team can answer your questions and discuss your legal options.

Why Choose Burg Simpson?

Burg Simpson has extensive experience with product liability claims. Our lawyers have helped multiple clients obtain justice and maximum compensation for injuries they have sustained due to product defects.

Many of our attorneys have been appointed to leadership roles in mass tort litigation and class actions. Our experience representing multiple plaintiffs and classes in state and federal courts has enabled us to obtain billions for clients harmed by corporations and other defendants.

View Our Results

The client experience at Burg Simpson is unique. Combining the knowledge and resources of a national law firm with the personal touch of a local attorney, we offer an unparalleled standard of legal service.

In addition to fighting for a fair settlement or trial award, our attorneys and staff strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We advocate not only for our clients, but for a safer and more just world.

Contact Burg Simpson Today

Do you believe your child is addicted to video games? Burg Simpson is currently investigating cases of child video game addiction and exploring families’ legal options. You may be entitled to compensation.

At Burg Simpson, we take cases on a contingency basis. The initial case evaluation is 100% FREE. You pay none of the costs while your case is in progress, and only owe us a fee if we obtain a favorable result on your behalf.

Please complete our online contact form or dial 888-895-2080 today. Burg Simpson serves clients nationwide from offices in multiple states.