Getting played: gaming disorder
The WHO has now recognised the damage that addiction to computer games does as a disease — and thanks to ‘loot boxes’ the problem can also be financial, writes TOMASZ PIERSCIONEK
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
Thanks to impressive progress in Britain with wind and solar generation, clean electricity now costs a fraction of the price of gas — yet the current system keeps bills artificially high to protect fossil fuels, writes TOM HARDY
By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
Many Western countries are grappling with deep political instability. What are the causes of this, and what could be a possible way forward? asks MARC VANDEPITTE
KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
ADDICTIONS have existed in their myriad forms for as long as humans have had cravings. As science develops and new technologies become embedded into our culture and lifestyles, so too will new virtues and vices emerge.
A new addiction is known as gaming disorder, a condition predominantly affecting children and young adults who grew up surrounded by the internet, computers and gaming consoles in all their various forms.
Some countries have introduced limits on the length of time under-18s are allowed to play video games. China limits children gaming to a maximum of three hours a week and no more than one hour at a time, in an attempt to curb what it refers to as the “spiritual opium” of gaming.
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