by Nasreenah Farooq
Monitoring screen time daily and limiting phone usage, particularly on Sundays, can encourage outdoor activities such as trekking, mountaineering, and swimming.
Gaming addiction is a growing concern among Kashmiri students, as online gaming has become prevalent in many households. The youth, facing unemployment and the stress of joblessness, increasingly seek refuge in the digital world. Games such as Free Fire are not merely entertainment but digital traps that foster dependency. According to data, India has 560 million gamers, establishing it as the second-largest gaming market worldwide.
Right to Information data for Jammu and Kashmir (2022-2023) revealed that more than 34,000 minors purchased loot gaming accounts in the last two years. Three major mental health clinics in the region have reported a 400 per cent increase in gaming-related counselling cases over the past three years. A UNESCO report states that Kashmiri youth spend an average of 5.9 hours daily on screen time.
Recent incidents highlight the harmful impact of online gaming on children. In the Pulwama district, a boy named Ibrahim lost a game and withdrew from interaction. He spoke only one sentence, expressing confusion and guilt. Subsequently, he displayed antisocial behaviour and suffered severe trauma.
In another instance, a private school student from downtown Srinagar lost 105,000 rupees on gaming accounts through small transactions of 249,999 and 2000 rupees. He had purchased unknown cash for games such as Free Fire and Elite Pass. When his account was frozen, his family discovered that he had been living in a virtual world, detached from reality.
These cases warn the current generation about the risks of online gaming. While games offer a virtual revive button, life does not provide one. The patterns suggest that gaming addiction functions as a mental disorder.
Dr Mohd Abrar Guroo, senior consultant at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Srinagar, describes mobile game addiction as a compulsive mental and behavioural disorder that disrupts a child’s daily life, responsibilities, and relationships. He explains that some children become so absorbed in gaming that they neglect basic needs such as eating, sleeping, or studying. The brain’s reward system plays a key role. Gaming releases dopamine, often called the happy hormone, reinforcing the behaviour and creating a cycle of dependency. Over time, a child may prioritise gaming above all else and struggle to stop despite negative consequences.
The psychological impact can be severe. Many children experience anxiety and depression, often feeling irritable or restless when not gaming. Gaming can disrupt sleep, resulting in chronic fatigue and poor emotional regulation. In some cases, children withdraw from meaningful relationships and real-world interactions. A notable incident involving two children of Firdousa Beigum of Srinagar illustrates this severity. Experts reported that withdrawal from gaming caused physical trembling, highlighting the extreme psychological dependence.
Parents must take the first step to protect youth from this menace. Implementing tools such as Google Family Link, app lock screens, limiting transaction-related OTP usage, and ensuring at least two hours of family time weekly can help. Sharing experiences allows parents to understand the challenges their children face.
Educational institutions can play a role by conducting monthly digital addiction awareness sessions. Including gaming-related topics in the curriculum can inform children about its effects. Encouraging participation in sports, debates, or storytelling nurtures real-world engagement. Youth should focus on developing practical skills such as editing, coding, cooking, and maintenance. Monitoring screen time daily and limiting phone usage, particularly on Sundays, can encourage outdoor activities such as trekking, mountaineering, and swimming.
Addressing excessive gaming requires targeted measures. Establishing a helpline for gaming-related issues, imposing strict time limits on gaming for minors, and introducing warning labels on gaming products can act as deterrents.
While the situation is concerning, it is not irreparable. With appropriate policies and interventions, much can be done to reduce the harmful effects of excessive gaming on Kashmiri youth.
(The writer is a law student at the University of Kashmir. Ideas are personal.)
