30 December 2023 , 16:44
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The number of children treated by Britain’s first NHS video game addiction clinic has more than doubled in three years.
The National Centre for Gaming Disorders helped 62 kids hooked on console hits in 2020 and this year, the number to December had surged to 155 – a rate of three a week. Our Freedom of Information requests revealed the titles cited by problem gamers, which include footie simulator EA Sports FIFA 23. Other patients were referred by GPs over addiction to shooter games like League of Legends and Overwatch. Battle royale games such as Apex Legends and Fortnite also made the list, as did world-building titles Roblox and Minecraft.
The clinic, run by Central and North West London NHS Trust, offers online sessions for gamers and their families.
Its founder, Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, said: “Gaming disorders can impact children and their family to the extent it can stop them from living normal life. From avoiding school or work, violence to family breakdowns, the harms can be significant.” Lee Fernandes, UK Addiction Treatment Group lead therapist, added: “The best way to tackle a child with a gaming addiction is to recognise it is a problem and ask for help.”
The Association of UK Games and Interactive Entertainment said: “With over 70% of households now owning some form of gaming device, children are enjoying video games more than ever and that’s why the industry is going the extra mile spending £1million on a three-year campaign to encourage responsible play.”
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