Video gaming among youth during covid-19 lockdowns in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Video gaming is the new social currency among youth. Youths have begun to exhibit addictive characteristics of videogaming affecting different facet of life during Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown. Mixed methodology and purposive sampling, snowball sampling technique was used for comprehensive interpretation. The Videogame addiction was assessed using the (7-item criterion)  Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS). Major findings include changes in daily habits, motives, experience lifestyle and career choices, changes in communication and socializing pattern, performance in education, work, Mental and physical health and understanding primary caretakers concern on youth. The suggestions, implications will be based on  social work practice for Individuals, parents and other stakeholders based on the findings