Wednesday afternoons have become a ritual for 15-year-old Sadmir Perviz. It's a circuitous route from home in Perth to the Fiona Stanley Hospital - but it's worth it for a game of Dungeons & Dragons with like-minded individuals.
Sadmir is one of 300 patients at Australia's only publicly funded gaming disorder clinic, assisting individuals to manage online gaming addictions. The clinic aims to provide a supportive environment where patients can transition from excessive gaming.
Dr. Daniela Vecchio, the clinic's psychiatrist, expressed confusion as to why gaming platforms were not included in Australia's recent ban on social media for children. The ban aims to shield children from online dangers but overlooks the interconnected nature of gaming and social media.
While the ban effectively prevents under-16s from accessing popular platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, it allows access to gaming platforms, which can also expose children to harmful interactions.
Dr. Vecchio argues that the risks of excessive gaming mirror those of social media, urging for the same attentiveness to children using gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox.
This oversight comes at a time when reports of gaming addiction are rising; a study indicated approximately 2.8% of Australian children suffer from gaming disorders. The case of former clinic patient Kevin Koo highlights the potential repercussions of unrestricted access to digital platforms.
Australia aims to progressively review the list of banned platforms, spurring calls among experts for a more comprehensive policy that considers the social interactions enabled by gaming. Critics describe the government’s approach as reactive rather than proactive, advocating for substantive strategies to safeguard children online.
