In recent years, video games have noted a sharp increase in popularity among Moroccan youth, seeking solace and enjoyment beyond traditional means of entertainment.
With the summer vacation granting ample leisure time to many, a number of adolescents find themselves indulging in hours of gaming on various platforms, from mobile phones to gaming consoles like PlayStation or PCs.
While this phenomenon serves as a remedy for boredom, it has also sparked concerns among researchers, who question whether prolonged gaming may lead to detrimental consequences on the psychological well-being and social behavior of the young generation.
According to Mouhcine Benzakour, a social psychology expert, children between the ages of 6 and 15, if exposed to three hours of daily gaming, may risk falling prey to gaming addiction.
Gaming then becomes an involuntary compulsion, with emotions triggered automatically.
As a result, youngsters continuously seek solace, dopamine rushes, and contentment within the gaming world, causing them to surpass the three-hour threshold and potentially disrupting their normal growth and development.
The surge in video gaming’s popularity in Morocco has been noteworthy, as individuals seek refuge in digital realms, away from the confines of traditional entertainment.
However, it is imperative to recognize that gaming itself is not inherently malevolent.
The responsibility lies with families to ensure that video games are harnessed positively, nurturing a child’s growth and development.
Benzakour underlined the significance of adolescence as a period of developing diverse mechanisms, including social intelligence, forging meaningful connections with peers, and engaging in physical activities which flourish during the summer. Alas, when these mechanisms are disrupted by prolonged screen time and gaming, psychological frailties may arise.
Contrary to concerns about isolation, Zakaria Akdide, a sociological researcher, argues that video gaming does not necessarily breed social seclusion.
In the digital realm, gaming communities offer players virtual spaces to communicate, interact, and even form friendships.
These virtual connections, while devoid of physical presence, can still contribute to social bonds that extend beyond the screen.
Excessive gaming may diminish physical interactions with others, but it simultaneously fosters virtual connections, potentially influencing real-life relationships and facilitating the formation of new social ties, suggest the researcher.
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