Online gaming addiction is a growing problem among teenagers and young adults in Nepal, who spend hours and hours playing online games such as PUBG, Free Fire, Call of Duty, and others. These games are designed to provide an immersive and competitive experience for the players, who can team up with their friends or play solo in various modes and maps. However, these games also have some serious negative effects on the physical, mental, and social well-being of the players, who may neglect other aspects of their lives, such as education, work, family, and hobbies. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the challenges of online gaming addiction in Nepal, such as the lack of awareness, the lack of regulation, the lack of treatment, and the lack of research.
Lack of Awareness
One of the main challenges of online gaming addiction in Nepal is the lack of awareness among the players, their parents, their teachers, and the general public. Many people do not recognize online gaming addiction as a real problem or a mental disorder that needs attention and intervention. They may think that online gaming is just a harmless hobby or a way of entertainment that does not affect the players' health or performance. They may also not be aware of the signs and symptoms of online gaming addiction, such as:
• Spending excessive amounts of time and money on playing online games
• Losing interest in other activities or hobbies
• Having trouble sleeping or eating
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, or mood swings, when not playing online games
• Facing difficulties in academic or work performance
• Having problems in interpersonal relationships
• Showing signs of anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, or aggression
According to a study by [International Journal of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing], only 55.8% of the online gamers in Nepal were normal users and 44.2% were addicted users. However, only 18.7% of the addicted users were aware of their addiction and only 9.4% had sought help from professional or trusted sources.
Lack of Regulation
Another challenge of online gaming addiction in Nepal is the lack of regulation and control over the online gaming industry and market. There are no clear laws or policies that govern the production, distribution, or consumption of online games in Nepal. There are also no standards or guidelines that ensure the quality, safety, or ethics of online games. This means that anyone can create, sell, or play online games without any restrictions or accountability. This also means that there are no mechanisms to monitor or prevent the illegal or harmful activities that may occur in online gaming platforms, such as:
• Cyberbullying: Online gamers may face harassment, threats, or humiliation from other players or spectators who use digital platforms to bully them.
• Gambling: Online gamers may engage in gambling activities that involve betting money or items on the outcomes of online games or matches.
• Hacking: Online gamers may face hacking attacks that compromise their personal or private information or accounts.
• Fraud: Online gamers may fall victim to fraud schemes that trick them into paying money or giving items for fake or low-quality online games or services.
According to a report by [Nepalnews], 12 persons were arrested for allegedly hosting online gambling in different parts of Kirtipur Municipality in Kathmandu. They were using online games such as PUBG and Free Fire to lure people into betting money on their matches.
Lack of Treatment
A third challenge of online gaming addiction in Nepal is the lack of treatment and support for the addicted players. There are very few facilities or professionals that specialize in treating online gaming addiction or other related mental health issues in Nepal. There are also very few programs or initiatives that promote awareness, prevention, or intervention for online gaming addiction among the players, their families, their schools, or their communities. This means that many addicted players do not have access to adequate or appropriate treatment or support that can help them overcome their addiction and recover their health and well-being. This also means that many addicted players do not have any alternatives or opportunities to engage in other positive and meaningful activities that can enrich their lives and fulfill their needs.
According to a report by [My City], a 15-year-old boy from Rajasthan became addicted to Free Fire and PUBG for six months, playing these games for 15 hours a day. His addiction caused him to suffer from severe mental and physical health issues, such as losing his mental balance, experiencing involuntary movements in his hands and legs, screaming "fire-fire" in his sleep, and attacking anyone around him. He had to be admitted to a care facility for treatment and counselling.
Lack of Research
A fourth challenge of online gaming addiction in Nepal is the lack of research and data on this phenomenon. There are very few studies or surveys that explore the prevalence, causes, effects, or solutions of online gaming addiction in Nepal. There are also very few sources or platforms that provide reliable and updated information or statistics on online gaming addiction in Nepal. This means that there is a gap in the knowledge and understanding of online gaming addiction in Nepal, which hinders the development and implementation of effective and evidence-based policies, programs, or interventions for online gaming addiction in Nepal. This also means that there is a need for more research and data on online gaming addiction in Nepal, which can inform and guide the stakeholders and decision-makers who are involved or interested in addressing this issue.
Conclusion
Online gaming addiction is a serious and growing problem in Nepal, which poses many challenges for the players, their families, their schools, and their society. These challenges include the lack of awareness, the lack of regulation, the lack of treatment, and the lack of research on online gaming addiction in Nepal. Therefore, it is important for all the concerned parties to work together to raise awareness, establish regulation, provide treatment, and conduct research on online gaming addiction in Nepal. This can help to prevent or reduce the negative impacts of online gaming addiction on the physical, mental, and social well-being of the players and promote their healthy and safe use of the internet.
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