Online Gaming Poses Serious Health Threats to Children, Flags New Report
A recent analysis from the CyberPeace foundation has issued a stark warning about the dangers the booming online gaming industry presents to children. The report, released on November 10, 2025, states that while accessibility has grown, so have severe concerns regarding addiction and the potential for exploitation of young users.
Physical and Mental Health Consequences
The study provides a detailed look at the negative developmental impact early and prolonged exposure to online games can have. Researchers, educators, and mental health professionals are increasingly alarmed by the effects on both physical and emotional well-being.
On the physical front, the report links excessive gaming to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to obesity. It cites the PEACH project, a longitudinal observational study, which found that children with higher screen time had a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and were more likely to be overweight. The growing number of young people treated for obesity-related issues is partially attributed to increased gaming screen time.
Beyond weight issues, the report notes that incessant gaming can cause repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome due to continuous mouse clicking. The addictive nature of these games also disrupts sleep patterns and has been linked to cardiovascular problems.
Mentally, the consequences extend far beyond simple isolation or social withdrawal. The report emphasizes that excessive gaming has serious implications for emotional and psychological well-being, creating a pressing need for intervention.
Urgent Policy Actions and Safeguards Recommended
In response to these growing risks, CyberPeace has recommended a multi-pronged approach for robust child protection.
A primary recommendation is the establishment of a clear methodology for age verification. While the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 mandates such checks, the report points out a critical lack of clarity on its implementation.
The think tank also called for stronger content regulation, noting that India lacks an equivalent of the PEGI system used in other regions for content benchmarking. It advised expanding content ratings to include different levels for violence, gore, and sexual content.
Furthermore, the report proposed a dynamic "living legislation" framework that can evolve with rapid industry trends. A significant suggestion is that game content should be legally vetted before release, with both developers and publishers brought under uniform regulation focused squarely on child protection.
