Internet gaming disorder in children: a narrative review
Internet gaming disorder in children: a narrative review

Summary/Abstract: Method: This narrative review summarizes research from the years 2019-2024 on internet gaming disorder in children. Results: This recent research suggests a prevalence rate ranging from 20% in Brazil to 62% in Saudi Arabia, although a review across multiple studies reported an average of a much lower prevalence of 5%. Correlates/comorbidities of internet gaming disorder have included anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism. Other risk factors for this disorder include being male, impulsivity, being neurotic, being narcissistic and being exposed to gaming, violent and non-supportive behavior of their parents. Negative effects include attention, cognitive and academic performance problems as well as aggressive behavior. Only one review was found on potential underlying biological mechanisms which suggested dysregulation of the brain’s reward system including the prefrontal cortex, limbic system and the amygdala. Only a few papers on interventions appeared in this literature suggesting the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and methylphenidate. Discussion: The studies in this review highlight the prevalence and severity of internet gaming disorder in children. However, they are limited by being primarily based on mixedage child and adolescent samples as well as results that have varied by the correlates/ comorbidities of the disorders.

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