What Is
Internet Addiction?

What Is Gaming Disorder?
According to the World Health Organization (ICD-11), gaming disorder is characterized by:

1. Gaming (online or offline, including video games) taking precedence over other life interests and activities, becoming a dominant activity in the person’s life.

2. Loss of control over digital gaming behavior.

3. Continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative physical, psychological, and social consequences, such as difficulties in school or work and disruptions in family life.

These criteria can apply to both online and offline gaming behaviors and may lead to significant disruptions in personal, social, familial, educational, occupational, and other important areas of functioning. To diagnose gaming disorder, these behaviors must be persistent and recurrent, observed for at least 12 months. However, if all criteria are met and the symptoms are severe, the diagnosis may be established in a shorter period.

Online/Offline Gaming Disorder
According to the World Health Organization (ICD-11), hazardous gaming is defined as a pattern of online or offline gaming that increases the risk of harm to the physical or mental health of the individual or others. Increasing time spent on gaming, its growing priority in daily life, and the resulting negative impact on family, work, and educational functioning are considered key risk indicators.

Problems Associated with Gaming Disorder
According to the World Health Organization, health-related problems associated with gaming behavior extend beyond the disorder itself. These may include insufficient physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, vision and hearing problems, musculoskeletal issues, as well as psychological difficulties such as depression, irritability, anger, and boredom.

The OECD report Mental Health of Children and Young People in the Digital Age: Shaping the Future (2018) further highlights that excessive use of digital technologies and social media may lead to outcomes such as cyberbullying and distorted body image, particularly among children and adolescents.

Children and Adolescents at Risk
The UNICEF report The State of the World’s Children 2017: Children in a Digital World identifies three main categories of online risks for children:

• Content risks refer to situations where children are exposed to unwelcome and inappropriate content. This can include pornographic or violent images and videos, or websites advocating unhealthy or dangerous behaviors.

• Contact risks involve potential physical, emotional, sexual, or economic exploitation by adults.

• Conduct risks occur when children behave in a way that contributes to risky content or contact. This may include children creating hateful material about other children, or posting or distributing harmful material about other children.

Equipping children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe online is critical. These include understanding the risks of creating and posting content, protecting online privacy and personal data, and developing empathy and tolerance in digital interactions.

Did You Know?
• According to World Health Organization data (2018), the prevalence of gaming disorder varies across countries, ranging from approximately 1.3% to 9.9% in the general population.

• In today’s digital age, the conscious use of technology has become increasingly important. It is therefore essential to support children and young people growing up in this environment in developing a mindful and responsible relationship with technology. In this context, the recommended daily screen time, based on the Green Crescent Addiction Prevention Training Program (TBM), is as follows:

o Ages 0–3: Avoid screen exposure as much as possible

o Ages 3–6: Up to 20–30 minutes per day

o Ages 6–9: Up to 40–50 minutes per day

o Ages 9–12: Up to 60–70 minutes per day

o Ages 12+: Up to 120 minutes per day

• The American Psychological Association (2019) report Digital Guidelines: Promoting Healthy Technology Use for Children outlines the following age-based recommendations for screen use:

o Under 18 months: Avoid screen media except video chatting

o Ages 18–24 months: Choose high-quality content and co-view with parents

o Ages 2–5: Limit screen time to one hour per day with high-quality content

o Ages 6+: Maintain consistent limits on media use

Research indicates that introducing monetary elements into gaming—particularly among adults—increases the risk of gambling disorder and may lead to its development. While online gambling falls under gambling disorder, studies show that 30.3% of adolescents and young adults with online gambling disorder also show signs of internet addiction (Yalçın & Karaçetin, 2016).

What to Do
1. Encourage children to socialize naturally with peers and build friendships.

2. Support participation in sports and activities that match their interests and abilities.

3. Foster friendships by planning activities that bring children together.

4. Monitor computer use and stay aware of their online interactions.

5. Ensure that safe internet tools and parental controls are in place.

6. Spend quality time together and plan enjoyable activities.

What to Avoid
1. Do not use digital devices to pacify or occupy children; establish structured usage routines instead

2. Do not focus solely on screen time—monitor prolonged and uncontrolled internet use. Internet filters may help.

3. Avoid screen use during meals; encourage children to participate in family time. Do not take on their responsibilities.

4. Do not structure the home environment around digital devices; keep them in shared spaces.

5. Avoid excessive device use by assigning responsibilities and supporting follow-through.

6. Avoid overloading children with messages about the risks of internet use, as this may lead to confusion or reduced retention. Repetition can diminish impact; prioritize a limited number of clear and meaningful messages.

7. Avoid blaming or criticizing; instead, acknowledge and understand their emotions.

8. Avoid hurtful language, as it may damage communication and trust, leading children to withdraw or be less open and honest.

If you are unable to manage prolonged use of digital devices, consider seeking professional support.

For more information:
tbm.org.tr
yedam.org.tr

References and Resources
For more information on the topics covered on this website, please see the sources below:

• Digital Parenting (2019). [Link: Dijital Ebeveynlik | Yeşilay (yesilay.org.tr)]

• 101Questions About Addiction (2019). [Link: 101 Soruda Bağımlılık | Yeşilay (yesilay.org.tr)]

• American Psychological Association (2019). Digital guidelines: Promoting healthy technology use for children. [Link: https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/technology-use-children]

• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2018). Children & young people’s mental health in the digital age: Shaping the future. [Link: https://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/Children-and-Young-People-Mental-Health-in-the-Digital-Age.pdf]

• World Health Organization (WHO) (2018). Addictive Behaviors: Gaming disorder. [Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/gaming-disorder]

• World Health Organization (WHO) (2021). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics [Link: https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1586542716]

• World Health Organization (WHO) (2018). Addictive behaviors. [Link: https://www.who.int/health-topics/addictive-behaviours#tab=tab_2]

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). Safety and security on the Internet challenges and advances in member states. [Link: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44782/9789241564397_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y]

• United Nations Children's Fund (2017). The state of the world’s children: Children in a digital World. [Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more]