The World Health Organization considers video game addiction to be a mental illness. This disease will be included in the next edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
A specialist explains that most people who play video games do not suffer from any disorder, just as most people who drink alcohol do not suffer from any disorder. However, the abusive use of this hobby can cause some deterioration in personal, family, social, educational, etc. functioning.This disorder is characterized by a continuous or habitual gaming behavior, the WHO associates it with three negative conditions produced by the abuse of digital games.
-To begin with, there is the loss of behavioral control in terms of when the activity starts, frequency of play, intensity, duration of this activity, completion and context in which the game is played.
-Next, there is also an increase in the priority of gaming before other daily activities.
-Finally, the third aspect is related to the escalation or maintenance of this behavior, despite the occurrence of the other two negative consequences.
What do the PEGI age labels mean?
PEGI 3
The content of PEGI 3-rated games is considered suitable for all age groups. The game must not contain any sounds or images that might frighten children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or in a childlike environment) is acceptable. Obscene language should not be heard.
PEGI 7
Game content with scenes or sounds that can frighten young children should be included in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implicit, not detailed or unrealistic) are acceptable for games with a PEGI 7 rating.
PEGI 12
Video games that show slightly more graphic violence against fictional characters or unrealistic violence against human characters would fall into this age category. There may be sexual allusions or attitudes, while any vulgar language in this category should be bland. There may also be gambling games, as they normally take place in real life in casinos or gambling halls (for example, card games that in real life would be played for money).
PEGI 16
This classification is applied once the description of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a level similar to what one would expect in real life. The use of incorrect language in PEGI 16 rated games may be more extreme, while gambling and the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs may also be present.
PEGI 18
The classification of adults applies when violence reaches such a level that it becomes a representation of brutal violence, murder for no apparent reason or violence against defenceless characters. The glamorisation of illegal drug use and explicit sexual activity should also be included in this age category.
The PEGI content descriptors
The game contains representations of violence. In games classified as PEGI 7, this can only be unrealistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 may include violence in a fantasy environment or unrealistic violence against human-type characters, while games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly realistic violence.
The game contains obscene language. This descriptor can be found in games with PEGI 12 (swearing), PEGI 16 (e.g. sexual insults or swearing) or PEGI 18 (e.g. sexual insults or swearing).
This descriptor may appear in games with PEGI 7 rating if they contain images or sounds that may frighten or frighten young children, or in PEGI 12 games with scary sounds or effects of terror (but no violent content).
The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulated gambling games refer to games that are normally played in casinos or gaming rooms. Games with this type of content are PEGI 12, PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.
This content descriptor can be combined with a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual poses or allusions, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sex without visible genitals, or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Representations of nudity in non-sexual content do not require a specific age rating and this descriptor would not be necessary.
The game refers to or describes the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are always PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.
The game contains representations of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes that may encourage hatred. This content is always limited to a PEGI 18 classification (and may violate national criminal laws).
