Abstract
Video game addiction in young children is relevant, but it is especially important for children with ADHD. In order to obtain more data about the use of video games by Canadian children, and in particular by ADHD children, we explored the modalities of use (playtime, addiction score and usage by age) and compared them between ADHD and non-ADHD children. We then examined associations between addiction and ADHD symptoms and explored innovative results about the gender impact. Our study was cross-sectional, multicenter in child psychiatrist departments, exploratory and descriptive. We recruited three groups of children aged 4–12 years: the ADHD Group, the Clinical-Control Group and the Community-Control Group. For each group, the material used consisted of questionnaires completed by one of the parents. Data collection took place from December 2016 to August 2018 in Montreal (n = 280). Our study highlighted a vulnerability in ADHD children: they would exhibit more addictive behaviors with respect to video games (Addiction score: 1.1025 in ADHD Group vs. 0.6802 in Community-Control Group) and prolonged periods of use. We also observed a correlation between the severity of ADHD symptoms and excessive use of video games (p = 0.000). Children with severe ADHD showed significantly higher addiction scores and, in a multiple regression analysis a combination of gender and ADHD explained the excessive use of video games.
Highlights
Children and adolescents report playing video games frequently, and we can see that this use is being reported at ever-younger ages [1]
ANOVA showed that the video game playtime was significantly higher for the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Group compared to the CommunityControl Group during both weekdays and weekends
A negative association was identified between average household income with addiction score and children’s playtime, indicating that video game use varies inversely with income
Summary
Children and adolescents report playing video games frequently, and we can see that this use is being reported at ever-younger ages [1]. 91% of children aged 2–17 are reported to play video games [2]. New games on smartphones and tablets are rapidly being developed, many of which target young children including toddlers [3]. The use of screens starts at an early age with more than 30% of children having used a tablet before the age of 2, and often for playing video. From about the age of 4, the computer has become an increasingly popular medium for children to play video games [4]. A vast array of devices are used such as consoles, computers, tablets and smartphones, both online and offline
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