‘Mobile games de-addiction centres needed’
| Date :11-Jun-2019 |
By Ajay Mardikar:
‘PUBG’ mobile game is the most dangerous one
There is an urgent need for starting ‘Mobile Games De-addiction Centres’. The need has been expressed by psychiatrists and psychologists, who have been getting a large number of persons, coming or brought by the parents, for addiction to mobile games. ‘PUBG’ mobile game has been considered to be the most dangerous one, a recent victim of which was reported recently. The range of addicts is very wide. Beginning from a standard IV student to engineering students and even those in jobs are visiting psychiatrists and psychologists for counseling.
The employed, mostly, are those performing night duties. After the mobile game Blue Whale, PUBG is considered to be another monster, which has been killing future of a large number of the mobile addicts. PUBG is a group game and one has to beat or excel in the very tough tasks. The addicts get involved deeply in the game and spend as much as six to seven hours. This also affects their behaviour. Even in cafeteria or liquor bars they can be seen playing the game. Most of them visit these places alone and sit for several hours. Majority of them show symptoms related to depression, restlessness, isolation, talking with no proper eye contact, anxiety, aggression etc are symptoms which can be easily identified by the parents or other family members.
Training to teachers, parents and peer groups are being trained by Indian Association of Paediatrics under its Mission Kishor Uday, realising the after-effects of such addictions. ‘Farm Ville’ is another game which has attracted many. The tasks are related to agriculture. The players had to sow seeds, perform other operations, which are scheduled. Missing the time schedule burns the crop. Although entire game is not yet fully known, it is suspected that the tasks may be like farmers committing suicide, due to crop failure. However, the present concern is of growing addiction of PUBG.
Child not eating for almost five days, sitting in isolation in a room, playing games on desk-top computer is a recent case being handled by a psychiatrist. The addicts become aggressive or become restless when they are kept away from mobile phones. They are required to be made aware of their addiction, which is easy in an adult. The experts have stated that looking at the growing addiction of mobile games, repercussions will be wide within next two years. And they will be dangerous.