WHO has decided to classify gaming disorder as a legitimate disease but various members of the gaming industry have come forward to ask WHO to reconsider its decision. Groups like the Entertainment Software Association came together to release a combined statement in order to change this decision regarding gaming disorder.
This decision was taken over the weekend by WHO and here is what the gaming industry had to say regarding the matter in a recent press release:
The global video game industry—including representatives from across Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa, and Brazil—today called on World Health Organization (WHO) Member States to re-examine at an early date its decision to include ‘Gaming Disorder’ in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
The gaming industry believes that there is not enough evidence to consider gaming disorder an actual disease. This is something that should be taken very seriously, there is no doubt about that. The CEO of Sony has stressed on this matter multiple times. The press release went on to mention the following:
The WHO is an esteemed organization and its guidance needs to be based on regular, inclusive, and transparent reviews backed by independent experts. Gaming disorder’ is not based on sufficiently robust evidence to justify its inclusion in one of the WHO’s most important norm-setting tools.
WHO is playing its part and we appreciate that but more research needs to be done and representatives of the gaming industry need to be brought on board in order to make such an important decision that affects a major portion of the population that take part in gaming as a hobby.
Sexual harassment is also another issue that is plaguing the gaming industry. A former Rockstar employee just accused a top executive of sexual assault.
Let us know what you think about the gaming industry trying to change WHO’s decision regarding gaming disorder becoming a legitimate disease.
