In the year 2000, Battle Royale was released – a Japanese film that follows the lives of a group of high schoolers who are forced to fight to their deaths by the Japanese government. Fast forward to 2018 and PlayerUnknown’s BattleGround (PUBG) is released, and it caters to a generation of screen users. In the game, up to one hundred players parachute onto an island and have to fight each other until only one of them survives.
The game involves scavenging for weapons and combat as the players attempt to defeat each other and win something called a Chicken Dinner. The phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” has been popularly associated with the game.
What started out as a harmless game eventually became very addictive and has even led to the death of a 16-year-old in Madhya Pradesh. What is it that PUBG has that previous video games did not have?
For one, it is extremely accessible and free of cost. Another thing is that the game has multiplayer features where you can play with your friends and use voice chat in real time. Every time you win, you want to keep playing. The sense of self-worth that you experience in that moment is something that you start craving. This is what can result in players losing track of time and developing problematic gaming behaviour.
The World Health Organization officially recognises gaming disorder as a pattern of gaming behaviour involving impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continued gaming despite negative consequences. For a diagnosis, the behaviour must cause significant impairment in important areas of functioning and normally be evident for at least 12 months.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where technology is involved in almost every aspect of our lives and is thus unavoidable. However, parents must be more aware of the negative impact that excessive technology use can have on their children. Reducing screen time – television, phones, laptops – should be actively implemented in all households.
This includes reduced screen time for adults as well, as children learn best by example. It is important to encourage balanced use of mobile phones and other digital devices from a young age.
Children need to be taught the importance of physical activity. Their energy must be channelled towards constructive activities from a very young age, something that they can cultivate an interest in as they grow up. With the improvement of technology, the world around us is constantly changing, but it is essential that we do not lose ourselves in this world and forget our priorities.
For support with problematic gaming or other behavioural concerns, Ahana Hospitals’ mental-health services can provide professional assessment and support.