The Entertainment Software Association has joined its foreign counterparts is demanding that the World Health Organization reverse its decision to list video game addiction as a health problem.

WHO official added "gaming disorder" to it classification of diseases during a May 25 assembly of the organization's member states. According to the language adopted by WHO, gaming disorder is characterized by "impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences." http://bit.ly/2VQWitu

So far the loudest criticism of WHO's decision has come from the video game industry. In a joint statement, ESA and eight of its foreign counterparts said there was no robust evidence to justify the inclusion of gaming disorder on WHO's classification of diseases.

"The interactive entertainment industry plays a leading role in the development of emerging technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and big data analysis," the groups said. "It is significant in advancing in research science across many fields ranging from mental health, dementia, cancer and pioneer advances in accessibility.

"At the same time, the industry developed world-class consumer protection tools including parental controls and responsible game-education initiatives to ensure the players are able to engage in the safest environments," they added.

Among the groups that added their names to the statement are the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, Interactive Entertainment South Africa and UKIE, which represented the U.K. video game industry.

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