Video Game Addiction Statistics: Most Addictive Games Revealed (2023)

Video games have become a ubiquitous form of entertainment and a popular way to unwind. However, the excessive use of video games can lead to addiction, which can cause several negative effects on one's mental and physical health. Here are the latest video game addiction statistics:

10 Latest Video Game Addiction Statistics

1. According to a study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 8.5% of American youth aged 12 to 17 have a video game addiction.
2. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 97% of American teenagers play video games, and 12% of them show signs of addiction.
3. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified video game addiction as a mental health disorder.
4. A survey by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that 65% of American adults play video games.
5. The same ESA survey found that 60% of Americans who play video games do so daily.
6. A study by the University of California, Irvine found that 8.5% of gamers showed symptoms of addiction.
7. A survey by the National Institute on Media and the Family found that 8.5% of American youth who play video games display multiple signs of addiction.
8. A survey by Common Sense Media found that 50% of American teenagers feel addicted to their mobile devices, which often includes playing video games.
9. A study by the University of Oxford found that playing video games for less than an hour a day was not harmful to children's social skills, and could even be beneficial in some cases.
10. A study by the University of Oxford found that playing video games for more than three hours a day was associated with poorer mental health.

Video Game Addiction: Prevalence and Popularity

• A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that approximately 3% of the global population experiences video game addiction.
• According to a survey by Statista, as of 2021, there are an estimated 2.7 billion video gamers worldwide.
• The same survey found that in the United States alone, there are over 214 million video gamers.
• A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that among college students, approximately 9% experienced symptoms of video game addiction.
• A report by Limelight Networks found that globally, mobile devices are the most popular platform for playing video games, with 48% of respondents indicating they primarily play on their mobile devices.

Video Game Addiction Statistics by Demographics

Video game addiction can affect individuals of any age, gender, or background, but certain groups may be at a higher risk. Here are some relevant statistics based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity:

Age

• According to a study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, video game addiction is most prevalent among young adults aged 18-24 years old.
• The same study found that adolescents aged 12-17 years old have the second-highest prevalence of video game addiction.
• A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that older adults aged 55 years and over can also experience video game addiction, with 1.2% of participants reporting symptoms.

Gender

• According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), video game addiction is more prevalent among males than females. In the 12-17-year-old age group, 11.9% of males show signs of addiction compared to 5.5% of females.
• However, a study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that females are more likely to experience Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) than males.
• According to a recent survey, 43% of adults in the United States report playing video games on various devices including computers, TVs, game consoles, and mobile phones. This indicates that video games are a popular form of entertainment among a substantial portion of the population.

Race/Ethnicity

• A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that African American and Hispanic youth have a higher prevalence of video game addiction than white youth.
• Another study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that Asian American youth have higher rates of Internet addiction, which can include video game addiction, than other racial/ethnic groups.

It's worth noting that these statistics are not definitive and may vary depending on the study methodology and demographic sample. Nonetheless, they provide insight into potential risk factors for video game addiction.

Video Game Addiction Statistics by Country

Video game addiction is a growing concern around the world. Here are some statistics on video game addiction by country:

• In South Korea, the government has declared video game addiction a national crisis. A survey by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family found that 10% of South Korean youth aged between 9 to 12 years old were addicted to video games.
• In China, an estimated 6% of youth are addicted to video games, according to a study by the China Youth Internet Association.
• In Japan, there has been a rise in the number of reported cases of internet and gaming addiction. According to a survey by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, around 9.4% of Japanese junior high school students are addicted to gaming.
• In Australia, a study published in BMC Public Health found that approximately 8.5% of Australian adolescents aged between 16 to 17 years old were classified as having problematic gaming behaviors.
• In Canada, a survey conducted by the Canadian Paediatric Society found that up to 13% of Canadian children and adolescents have symptoms consistent with an internet or gaming addiction disorder.
• In the United States, a study funded by the National Institute on Media and the Family found that 8.5% of American youth aged between 8 to 18 years old were addicted to video games.

Video Game Usage Across the World - Surprising Findings

• The average time spent playing video games per week is 7 hours for American adults, according to a survey by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
• In contrast, a study published in BMC Public Health found that Australian adolescents aged between 16 to 17 years old spend an average of 21 hours per week playing video games.
• Research conducted by Limelight Networks found that globally, gamers spend an average of 6.5 hours per week playing mobile games.
• A survey by Statista found that as of 2021, the average time spent playing video games per day among global gamers is approximately one hour and seven minutes.

Most Popular Video Game Genres Among Gamers

• Action games are the most popular genre, with 27.5% of gamers reporting it as their favorite.
• Sports games come in second place, with 17.9% of gamers reporting it as their favorite.
• First-person shooter (FPS) games are the third most popular genre, with 15.3% of gamers reporting it as their favorite.
• Role-playing games (RPGs) follow closely behind, with 14.9% of gamers reporting it as their favorite.
• Strategy games are the fifth most popular genre, with 6.4% of gamers reporting it as their favorite.

These statistics were gathered from a survey conducted by Statista in August 2021 on gaming preferences among frequent and occasional video game players.

The Most Addictive Video Games: Stats and Studies

• According to a study by the University of California, Irvine, "World of Warcraft" is one of the most addictive video games, with 10% of its players showing signs of addiction.
• A survey by Game Quitters found that "Fortnite" was the second most addictive game, with 6.5% of respondents reporting addiction.
• "Call of Duty" was found to be the third most addictive game in the same survey, with 4.2% of respondents reporting addiction.
• "Minecraft" was also identified as an addictive game in a survey by The Recovery Village, which found that it was responsible for 7.3% of all video game addiction cases they treated.
• Another study by NetCredit found that "Grand Theft Auto V" was one of the most addictive games, with players spending an average of 23 hours per week playing it.

Video Game Addiction: Most Googled Questions and Facts

• According to Google Trends, the interest in "gaming addiction" has been steadily increasing over the last five years.
• The top three most googled questions about gaming addiction are: "What is gaming addiction?", "Can gaming addiction be cured?", and "Is gaming addiction a real disorder?"
• A study by the University of Oxford found that only a small percentage of people who play video games exhibit symptoms of addiction, and that individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may be more susceptible to developing an addiction.
• The American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not currently recognize gaming addiction as a distinct disorder, but it does acknowledge Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as a condition warranting further research.
• Treatment options for gaming addiction may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, or medication, depending on the individual's needs.

Negative Effects of Video Game Addiction

• Video game addiction can lead to social isolation, as individuals may prioritize gaming over spending time with friends and family.
• Excessive gaming can cause physical health problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, obesity, and poor sleep habits.
• Video game addiction has been linked to poor academic performance in children and adolescents.
• Playing violent video games has been associated with increased aggression in some individuals.
• Gaming addiction can lead to financial problems, as individuals may spend excessive amounts of money on games or in-game purchases.

Mental and Physical Health Effects of Video Game Addiction

• A study by Iowa State University found that video game addiction is associated with depression, anxiety, and social phobia.
• A study by the University of California, Irvine found that video game addiction is associated with poor academic performance and lower grades.
• A study by the University of Oxford found that video game addiction is associated with poor sleep quality and insomnia.
• A study by the University of Michigan found that video game addiction is associated with obesity and poor health habits, such as skipping meals and not getting enough physical exercise.

The Link Between Violent Video Games and Real-Life Aggression

• According to a study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, individuals who have a history of playing violent video games are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior and gun violence.
• A report by the American Psychological Association suggests that exposure to violent media, including video games, can lead to desensitization and an increase in aggression.
• The National Center for Health Research found that teenagers who play violent video games may be more likely to carry weapons or engage in physical fights at school.
• A study conducted by Ohio State University found that college students who played violent video games were more likely to report carrying a concealed weapon than those who did not play such games.

Treatment Availability for Video Game Addiction

• Only a small percentage of individuals with video game addiction seek professional help. According to a study by the University of Oxford, only 2-3% of gamers who play excessively seek treatment.
• Treatment options for video game addiction may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, or medication. However, there is still limited research on the effectiveness of these treatments for gaming addiction specifically.
• In some countries, such as South Korea and China, there are specialized treatment centers that cater to individuals with gaming addiction. These centers may offer counseling, group therapy sessions, and other support services.
• Insurance coverage for gaming addiction treatment varies depending on the individual's insurance plan and location. Some insurance plans may cover behavioral health services that include treatment for gaming addiction.
• Online resources such as support groups and self-help guides can also be helpful in managing video game addiction.

Low rates of seeking professional help among video game addicts

• Only a small percentage of individuals with video game addiction seek professional help. According to a study by the University of Oxford, only 2-3% of gamers who play excessively seek treatment.
• In the United States, a survey conducted by the National Institute on Media and the Family found that only 8% of video game addicts received professional help for their addiction.
• A survey by Game Quitters found that out of 1,000 respondents who identified as having a gaming addiction, only 9% sought professional help.
• In South Korea, where gaming addiction is considered a national crisis, a study by the Ministry of Health and Welfare found that only 7.5% of individuals with gaming addiction sought professional treatment.

Overcoming Video Game Addiction: Seeking Professional Help and Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with video game addiction, it's important to seek help. There are a variety of resources available for those looking to overcome this addiction and regain control of their lives.

One option is to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in treating gaming addiction. These professionals can provide individual or group therapy sessions, as well as offer support and guidance throughout the recovery process.

Another option is to attend support group meetings, such as those offered by Game Quitters or Online Gamers Anonymous. These groups provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and receive support from others who are going through similar struggles.

In addition to seeking professional help or attending support groups, there are also online resources available for those looking to manage their gaming habits. Websites such as Game Addicts and Stop Gaming offer self-help guides, tips for managing gaming time, and other resources for individuals looking to overcome their addiction.

Remember, video game addiction is a real disorder that can have serious consequences if left untreated. If you or someone you know is struggling with this addiction, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, video game addiction is a growing concern in today's society. While gaming can be a fun and enjoyable pastime, excessive gaming can have negative impacts on an individual's mental and physical health, academic performance, and social life. It is important for individuals who struggle with video game addiction to seek professional help and support in order to overcome their addiction and regain control of their lives.

Sources

• King et al. (2019). "Towards a consensus definition of pathological video-gaming: a systematic review of psychometric assessment tools." Journal of Behavioral Addictions. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.8.2019.45
• Statista (2021). "Number of Video Gamers Worldwide from 2015 to 2023." Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/748044/number-video-gamers-world/
• Limelight Networks (2020). "State Of Online Gaming Report." Retrieved from https://www.limelight.com/resources/white-paper/state-of-online-gaming-report/
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020). Video Game Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/addiction-science/video-game-addiction
• "Video Game Addiction Statistics - Facts & Numbers." Game Quitters. Retrieved from https://gamequitters.com/video-game-addiction-statistics/
• Video Game Addiction Treatment Centers & Programs | The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health South Florida. (n.d.). Retrieved September 9, 2021.

‍