From time to time there are media reports about people dying from video games. But what is the scale of the problem and what are the reasons behind these tragic deaths?
This article examines recent research into gamer deaths and whether video game addiction is involved.
How many people died from video game addiction?
New Study on “Sudden Death in Gamers: Non-Violent Deaths Associated with Playing Video Games”
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Sudden Death of Gamers: Non-Violent Deaths Associated with Playing Video Games
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found 24 gaming-related deaths worldwide between 1982 and 2021. Twenty-three of them occur between He 2002 and He 2021. More specifically, can excessive gaming lead to death? The study concluded that most victims likely suffered from video game addiction.
However, it is unlikely that this represents all deaths related to playing video games. recognized to be probable. Other deaths may not have been reported to respect the privacy of the victims’ families. Also, the researchers were only able to identify deaths that received international media attention and were featured on English-language websites. It would have been below
This study only included players whose deaths were believed to be directly related to playing video games. Deaths that may be associated with video games for other reasons, such as accident or murder due to urge, anger, revenge, or negligence rather than video game suicide, game violence, or acts of the game itself, are not taken into account. .
Are there any common factors in gaming-related deaths?
So while the true number of victims is probably unknown, let’s take a look at 24 people who died from playing video games.
- Twenty-three of the victims were male and only one was female.
- Fourteen of the deaths came from Southeast Asia (China, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand), and most (12) occurred in internet cafes.
- Victims’ ages ranged from 11 to 40.
- Eighteen of the victims died after taking part in a marathon game session with little rest. This is a good indicator of gaming addiction death.
- Most people played MMO games that were competitive, fast-paced, and required a high level of concentration. It’s easy to lose track of time and play for hours, forgetting to eat, drink, exercise and sleep.
- There have been no reports of deaths from playing sandbox games (games that require more creativity than action) or slow-paced adventure games.
Interestingly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, half of the cases involve internet cafes. Many such venues are open 24/7, allowing gamers to play for hours without parental supervision. Fees are cheap, food and drinks are readily available, and some cafes offer accommodation.
What Causes Video Game Addiction Deaths?
You don’t need to see the top 10 video game deaths. There are 24 victims, mainly he has three reasons, but sometimes the cause of death is unknown.
heart problems
The most common causes of death appear to be heart-related problems: heart attack, heart failure, sudden arrhythmia death syndrome, and cardiac arrest. Most of the victims had been playing the game for hours before they died.
A 28-year-old South Korean man was a victim of heart failure and played for 50 hours before falling unconscious and dying. During his long game session, he hadn’t slept in two days, pausing only for bathroom breaks and a little food and drink. These unhealthy gaming habits may have taken his life. As explained in our article on the harmful effects of video games, sitting and playing video games for hours each day can have a serious impact on your physical health.
pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot lodges in the lungs and blocks blood flow. Blood clots often start in the legs and travel through the heart to the lungs. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Common risk factors for DVT include physical inactivity, dehydration, obesity, and smoking.
Gamers who play for hours without a break often get so focused on the action that they forget to move around, eat and drink. When they quit, they may eat junk food instead of choosing healthy options.One of the deaths from video game addiction was his 24-year-old in South Korea, who had a pulmonary embolism. was an old man. He was still playing the game for his 86 hours before his death.
cerebral hemorrhage
One of the deceased reportedly experienced a brain hemorrhage, commonly known as a cerebral hemorrhage, and another had a stroke. The type of stroke is not specified, but it could be hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Increased blood pressure during long gaming sessions may be behind the cerebral hemorrhage.
pre-existing medical conditions
Interestingly, 10 of the dead had pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, obesity, heart disease, hypertension and liver disease/gallstones.
Is this the first esports-related death?
One of the deaths was not caused by uncontrolled gaming, but after two months of intense training for an esports competition. Will this be the first esports-related death?
A 21-year-old man from Sweden did not die during training or competition, but died later in his sleep. Researchers wonder if this shift in balance was triggered, or if other factors, such as post-competition celebrations, were involved.
How can I stay safe while gaming?
So should gamers and parents worry? Can video games kill you? are dead. This is much lower than sports-related mortality risk.
However, there are other, less serious issues that can affect gamers. When you or your child is immersed in a game and sits in front of a screen for hours, eating and drinking regularly, exercising, sleeping, spending time with friends and family, enjoying other activities, school I tend to forget to concentrate on my studies. work. When the balance swings in favor of gaming, it can have ripple effects on relationships, grades and careers, other hobbies, and physical and mental health.
If you or someone you love has an unhealthy relationship with games and feels like your life is being hijacked, you may have a video game addiction. Let’s take a quick quiz.
At Game Quitters, we help gamers and families take control of their games and develop safer gaming habits. In just 12 weeks, you or your loved one will be free from gaming problems. We accept both individuals and families into the program, including gamers who are currently in denial.
Take the first step today and apply for Gameplan Strategy’s call to see if you’re a good fit. We have limited spots available.
