Impact of video game addiction on social interaction: An observational review examining loneliness, social anxiety, and social activity.

BACKGROUND

Excessive video game use, recognized as internet gaming disorder in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and Gaming Disorder in International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, has raised concerns regarding its effects on individuals' social well-being.

AIM: To analyze the association between internet gaming disorder and social interaction across Western and Asian populations.

METHODS

The review examined 14 observational studies published between 2000 and 2025. It assessed the frequency and quality of face-to-face interactions, the shift towards online socialization, and the methodological quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

The findings generally indicate that gaming addiction is associated with a decrease in the frequency of offline social interaction. Addicted gamers reported spending less time with family and friends and experiencing increased isolation. Furthermore, the quality of social relationships appeared poorer, with addicted gamers reporting higher levels of loneliness, lower social support, and decreased relationship satisfaction. While online social interactions increased, they did not fully compensate for the loss of real-world connections.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the potential of gaming addiction to negatively impact overall social lives, emphasizing the necessity for interventions focused on promoting real-world social engagement.