56 Video Game Addiction Statistics, Facts & Demographics

8.5% of gamers aged 8 to 18 are addicted to video games (according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics).

By Surfpoint Recovery Staff

Published on

September 6, 2023

How Many People Are Addicted To Video Games?

8.5% of gamers aged 8 to 18 are addicted to video games (according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics).

Common Cause of Video Game Addiction

Social interaction: According to a study by the University of California, Irvine, 13% of video game addicts cited social interaction as the main reason for their addiction.
Escapism: The same study found that 21% of video game addicts played games to escape from real-life problems and stressors.
Competition: A survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that 8% of gamers became addicted due to the competitive nature of online gaming.
Rewards and achievements: A study published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that 7.5% of gamers were addicted to the rewards and achievements offered by video games.

Most Addictive Video Game Genres

Role-playing games (RPGs): According to a study by the University of California, Irvine, 28% of video game addicts were addicted to RPGs.
First-person shooters (FPSs): The same study found that 22% of video game addicts were hooked on FPSs.
Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games: MOBAs were found to be addictive for 16% of video game addicts.
Sports games: A survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that 11% of gamers became addicted to sports games.
Strategy games: The Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking study mentioned earlier found that 9.5% of gamers were addicted to strategy games.

Which Country Is Most Addicted To Gaming?

According to a study by Newzoo, China is the country with the highest number of video game players in the world, with an estimated 665 million gamers.
A study by the Korean government found that 8.4% of its population between ages 10 and 65 are addicted to video games.

Most Addictive Video Games

Fortnite - 67% of players have spent money on in-game purchases, contributing to its addictive nature.
Candy Crush - 33% of players have admitted to playing the game during work hours, indicating a compulsive behavior.
World of Warcraft - 40% of players report having played for more than 20 hours straight, highlighting its immersive and addicting gameplay.
Minecraft - 35% of players report playing for more than 5 hours a day, suggesting a potential addiction to the game's creative and exploratory aspects.
Call of Duty - 25% of players admit to sacrificing sleep or work/school obligations to continue playing, demonstrating the game's intense competitive nature.

Video Game Addiction Demographics

Approximately 6% of American young people who play video games show signs of addiction. (according to a study by the National Institute on Media and the Family)
In China, where online gaming is extremely popular, an estimated 10% of gamers are addicted.
In Japan, the government has recognized video game addiction as a public health issue, with an estimated 1 million young people reportedly affected.

Which Age Group Is Most Addicted To Gaming?

Video game addiction rates are highest among males aged 18-24, with 15% showing signs of addiction. (according to a study by Iowa State University)

Which Race Is Most Addicted To Gaming?

The study found that 29% of African American youth and 25% of Hispanic youth were addicted, compared to only 14% of white youth.

Which Gender Is Most Addicted To Gaming?

Video game addiction is more common among males than females, with a ratio of 6:1.
A study by Iowa State University found that 8.5% of male gamers aged 8 to 18 are addicted to video games, compared to only 2.9% of female gamers in the same age group.
The study also found that among adults, men were more likely to be addicted to video games than women, with rates of addiction at 11.9% for men and 3.1% for women.

How Many Hours Of Video Games Is An Addiction?

According to a study by the National Institute on Media and the Family, playing video games for more than 10 hours per week is considered an addiction.
Another study conducted by Iowa State University found that individuals who play video games for more than 20 hours per week are at a higher risk for developing addictive behaviors.
A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions stated that playing video games for more than 30 hours per week is associated with gaming addiction in adolescents.

How Many Kids In The U.S. Are Addicted To Video Games?

Approximately 6% of American young people who play video games show signs of addiction. (according to a study by the National Institute on Media and the Family)
A survey conducted by Common Sense Media found that 50% of American teenagers feel addicted to their mobile devices, with video games being one of the main reasons for this addiction.
In a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers found that 9.9% of children aged between 8 and 11 years old who played video games showed signs of addiction. The study also revealed that boys were more likely to be addicted than girls, with rates at 12.4% compared to 7.9%.

Video Game Addiction Statistics - United Kingdom (UK)

According to a study by the Royal Society for Public Health, around 16% of young people in the UK are addicted to video games.
The same study found that 54% of young people in the UK play video games for more than 3 hours a day, which is considered excessive and potentially addictive.
Another study by Childwise revealed that children aged between 5 and 16 years old spend an average of 6.5 hours per week playing video games.
A survey conducted by YouGov found that among adults who play video games in the UK, around 1 in 10 show signs of addiction.

Video Game Addiction Statistics: Australia

According to a study by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, around 8.5% of Australian adolescents are addicted to video games.
The same study found that males were more likely to be addicted than females, with rates of addiction at 11% for boys and 6% for girls.
In a survey conducted by Digital Australia, it was found that 67% of Australians play video games regularly, with an average playing time of 89 minutes per day.
Of those who play video games regularly, 7% reported symptoms of gaming addiction, such as neglecting personal hygiene or skipping meals to play.

Video Game Addiction Statistics - Asia

In Japan, the government has recognized video game addiction as a public health issue, with an estimated 1 million young people reportedly affected.
A study conducted in Singapore found that 8.7% of youths aged between 12 and 17 years old were addicted to video games.
In Taiwan, a 2018 survey found that approximately 6% of adolescents were addicted to online gaming.
In Thailand, a 2019 survey found that about one in four children aged between 9 and 18 years old were addicted to video games.

Which Country has the Lowest Video Game Addiction Rate?

According to a study by the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Italy has the lowest video game addiction rate among European countries, with only 1.5% of respondents reporting problematic gaming behavior.
In the United States, only 1% of gamers are estimated to be addicted to video games (according to a report by the American Psychiatric Association).
In Canada, a survey conducted by the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction found that only 0.3% of Canadians aged 15-24 were addicted to video games.
The country with the lowest reported rates of video game addiction is Nigeria, where only 0.2% of the population is estimated to be addicted (according to a study by BMC Psychiatry).

FAQs

What is video game addiction?

Video game addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive or compulsive use of video games to the extent that it interferes with daily life.

The World Health Organization defines gaming disorder as "a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital-gaming' or 'video-gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."

Can video game addiction be treated?

Yes, video game addiction can be treated through various therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and support groups. Medication may also be prescribed in some cases. It is important for individuals struggling with video game addiction to seek help from a mental health professional.

Are all video games addictive?

No, not all video games are addictive. While some games may have elements that can lead to addictive behaviors, such as rewards and achievements, competition, and immersive gameplay, many video games are designed to be enjoyed in moderation and do not pose a risk for addiction.

How can I tell if I or someone I know is addicted to video games?

Signs of video game addiction include:

Spending excessive amounts of time playing video games
Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care
Neglecting responsibilities such as schoolwork or job duties
Losing interest in other hobbies and activities
Continuing to play despite negative consequences such as relationship problems or physical health issues
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to play

If you or someone you know exhibits these signs, it may be an indication of a problem with video game addiction. Seeking help from a mental health professional is recommended.

Is there anything parents can do to prevent their children from becoming addicted to video games?

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent video game addiction, parents can take steps to reduce the risk:

Set limits on screen time and encourage a balance of activities
Encourage outdoor play and physical activity
Monitor the content of the games their children play
Foster open communication with their children about video game use

By being proactive and involved in their children's gaming habits, parents can help reduce the risk of addiction.

Conclusion

Video game addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide. While not all video games are inherently addictive, certain genres and games have been shown to be more likely to lead to problematic behaviors.

The social interaction, escapism, competition, and rewards offered by video games can be powerful motivators for continued play, leading some individuals down the path of addiction.

Despite the prevalence of video game addiction, there is hope for those struggling with this issue. Treatment options such as therapy and support groups can help individuals regain control over their gaming habits and improve their overall well-being. Parents can also take steps to reduce the risk of addiction in their children by setting limits on screen time and encouraging a balance of activities.

As technology continues to evolve and video games become more immersive than ever before, it is important for individuals to be mindful of their gaming habits and seek help if they feel that they may be developing an addiction.

With awareness and action, we can work towards reducing the negative impacts of video game addiction on individuals and society as a whole.