Is video game addiction a disease? Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky weighs in
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to classify video game addiction as a disease, according to a June redefinition of their International Classification of Diseases (ICD). In the wake of this decision, various experts in education, law and psychology have been consulted for their opinions.
Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky, Chair of our Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, concedes that video game addiction is "clearly a growing problem", in a piece composed by The Canadian Press' Michael Oliveira and published by Global and CTV News.
Jeffrey Derevensky is a James McGill Professor with ECP, Professor with McGill's Department of Psychiatry, and Co-Director of the Faculty's Institute for Human Development and Well-Being (IHDW). He is one of the world's leading researchers of youth gambling. Much of Dr. Derevensky's renown stems from his work with McGill's International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, where he has been Director since their foundation in 1994.