TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces a growing crisis as Internet gaming disorder affects 3.1% of adolescents aged 10 to 18, according to a collaborative study by Taiwan's National Health Research Institutes (國家衛生研究院) and Mackay Memorial Hospital (馬偕紀念醫院). This rate significantly exceeds the 1% prevalence reported in Western countries, highlighting Taiwan's unique digital dependency challenge.
The World Health Organization has recognized gaming disorder as a mental health condition since 2018. The disorder involves uncontrollable prioritization of gaming over daily activities, causing significant disruptions in personal life, health, family, school and work when symptoms persist for at least 12 months. Pan Chun-hung (潘俊宏), a psychiatrist at Taipei City Hospital Heping Songde Branch (聯合醫院松德院區), emphasized that sustained gaming behavior lasting a full year could indicate addiction. Mental health professionals use this timeframe as a critical diagnostic benchmark for intervention.
The condition represents a significant shift in how medical experts view excessive gaming habits. Healthcare providers now treat gaming disorder with the same seriousness as other behavioral addictions. Chen Ching-i (陳清義), principal of Yanping Elementary School (延平國小), advocates for balanced technology integration rather than outright bans. He argues that technology use doesn't necessarily harm academic performance when properly guided. Chen emphasizes teaching students to use digital tools for homework and research purposes.
The educational approach focuses on responsible device usage to prepare children for the digital age. Schools increasingly recognize the need to develop digital literacy alongside traditional academic skills. Parents like Cindy believe in accompanying children during technology use and monitoring online interactions. Experts recommend fostering communication and shared interests to prevent technological alienation while appropriately guiding children's digital device usage.
