NortonLifeLock Online Gaming Survey-India Digital Wellness

The findings of the third edition of NortonLifeLock’s India Digital Wellness Report have been widely reported in the Indian press in the last 24 hours. Notably, 87% of respondents to the survey believe that online gaming takes a toll on their physical and mental well-being.

Other data states that :

• 76% of respondents believe that addiction to action games leads to altered behavior and can increase levels of depression and anxiety.
• 73% of parents surveyed say their children like shooting and adventure sports.
• 70% of respondents feel that children connecting with strangers while playing games online can lead to cyberbullying, harassment, and violence.
• 21% say their children show preference for casinos and card games.
• 45% of respondents say they find it difficult to control their children’s smartphone use.
• 76% of people believe that sports addiction can lead to behavioral changes and personal issues also become apparent – addiction to almost anything is negative.

Much of the coverage of this report has portrayed online gaming negatively but, taken objectively, has a built-in bias in many statements. For example, children exposed to strangers in any situation place them at high risk of bullying, harassment and violence.

But there some additional interesting discoveries found :

• 70% said that gaming can help people become smart by improving brain coordination and responses.
• Online gaming is often presented as a male-dominated industry, but 88% of female respondents considered online games to be the best pastime, compared to 86% of men.
• 61% of women were ready to play food, sleep, or other activities online – far more than 45% of men.
• 81% of the respondents felt improvement in teamwork skills in multiplayer games