Prospective Association Between Online Game Use and Risk of Internet Gaming Disorder in Korea: 12-Month Follow-up Results From the iCURE Study

Children and adolescents’ Internet game use has both functional and dysfunctional aspects. This study aimed to examine how changes in online gaming behaviors impact the risk of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). We observed 1318 adolescent online game users. Baseline and 12-month follow-up evaluations were performed, and it was defined whether the average online gaming time per day exceeded 1.5 hours and whether the number of gaming days per week exceeded 4 days. Gaming disorder was defined using the Internet Game Use-Elicited Symptom Screen. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the difference in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of IGD risk according to changes in gaming time or frequency. Results indicated the IRR of IGD risk was 2.54 for the increased time spent group and 2.38 for the consistent higher time spent group against the consistent lower time spent group. The IRR was 3.76 for the increased frequency group and 2.92 for the consistent higher frequency group against the consistent lower frequency group. Therefore, managing Internet game use not to exceed 1.5 hours per day on average and 4 days per week would help prevent elevation of IGD risk.