Tackling Gaming Addictions

That the Parliament notes recent reports that the NHS is treating hundreds of children for addiction to video games; understands that, since being set up in October 2019, the first NHS centre for gaming disorders has dealt with 745 patients, most of whom were teenage boys; further understands that gaming disorder was classified as a mental health condition in 2018 by the World Health Organisation, and that symptoms include a lack of control and gaming “taking precedence over other interests and daily activities” for at least one year; believes that this is a growing area of concern, with more children being treated for addiction and consequences of the addiction, including violent behaviour, stealing money to fund in-game purchases and an abandonment of almost all other interests and activities, and calls on the Scottish Government to raise awareness of the condition, engage with the UK Government to develop approaches to tackle the problem, and discuss whether it would reconsider introducing legislation to create restrictions on in-game sales targeted to children and people with addiction.