SINGAPORE – A recent study has found higher rates of problematic gaming and related problems, such as excessive gaming and depression, among young adults in Singapore than those reported abroad.
The study, led by Associate Professor in Psychology Peter Chew from James Cook University, looked at how common internet gaming disorder (IGD) and gaming disorder (GD) are among young adults here.
behavioural addictions involving excessive, compulsive gaming,
and have been recently added to two classification systems for mental disorders.
The study found that 10.3 per cent of participants met the criteria for IGD, while 5 per cent met the criteria for GD.
prevalence rates for problematic gaming
– an umbrella term used when assessing gaming issues broadly – are about 5.08 per cent in Asian regions and 2.72 per cent in Europe.
The study by Prof Chew, whose primary area of research is on behavioural addictions, surveyed 1,008 participants aged 18 to 40 and offers new local insights on the scale of gaming-related disorders among young adults.
Conducted in 2023, it was published in academic journal Psychiatric Quarterly in February 2025.
Observers said the findings point to a deeper need for connection and a “third place” – what urban sociologists call a social space outside home and school or work – with gaming increasingly filling that role for youth here.
Similar studies here have reported problematic gaming rates of 8.7 per cent among primary and secondary school students, and 15.4 per cent for college students.
Prof Chew’s study defined IGD as excessive online gaming marked by symptoms such as loss of control, tolerance and withdrawal. GD is referred to as persistent gaming behaviour, offline and online, that takes priority over other activities and causes impairment in daily life.
Males were more at risk than females, with 7.2 per cent to 14.6 per cent of them meeting the criteria for the disorders, compared with 2.8 per cent to 6.2 per cent for females.
Participants reported their gaming behaviours over 12 months in an online survey measuring their gaming motivations, mental health and sleep quality.
Those with disorders reported more time spent gaming, stronger desire for gaming motivations like fantasy and competition, more negative emotions like anxiety, and poorer sleep than those without.
Experts and youth counsellors said “push” factors such as stress, boredom and emotional struggles, alongside “pull” factors like immersive design and built-in rewards, can fuel problematic gaming.
The findings come amid growing concern in Singapore over excessive screen use, which some say reflect underlying struggles such as academic pressure, family stress, anxiety or depression.
“When people are stressed, they will look for forms of escape,” said Prof Chew, adding that in some countries, this may take the form of alcohol or gambling.
But in Singapore, these outlets are relatively costly or restricted, he said.
In contrast, gaming and social media are easily accessible. “They’re mostly free and unregulated. If you’re tech savvy, it’s very easy to just use them,” he said.
Other “push” factors that drive problematic gaming include boredom and a search for connection, said Ms Carmmen Lee, lead social worker at youth organisation Trybe.
She added that many youth she works with create virtual worlds where they can become the person they want to be.
“They may not have a good relationship with their family, but online, they may be able to be a different persona,” Ms Lee said. “This makes them feel needed, useful, and they want to continue to play that role.”
Mr S. B. Viknesan, principal counsellor at the National Addictions Management Service at the Institute of Mental Health, said games today are becoming increasingly immersive, with technologies such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
“You can have relationships in games, meet people,” he said. “This can pull people in, especially those going through a stressful period in their life.”
Some games also feature gambling-like elements, such as loot boxes or in-game purchases, which can make them more addictive.
For children, phones offer a quick escape in a country where opportunities for play can seem limited, with restrictions around open spaces and schedules filled with tuition and extracurricular activities, Ms Lee said.
Some like Mr Narasimman Tivasiha Mani, co-founder of Impart, believe that gaming is not all bad.
Many young people use games as a space to explore their identity and connect with peers, he said.
“A lot of youth spaces nowadays have adults there, but what young people need are third spaces where they are seen… where they can connect with other young people,” Mr Narasimman said, adding that this is part of Impart’s mission as it works with youth facing adversities.
“Providing them positive childhood experiences in these spaces can be a buffer for adversities they face in their life,” he added.
Mr Calvin Leong, who oversees community programmes at Impart, said third places allow youth to be curious about their lives and behaviours – including gaming – without immediate judgment. Such spaces, which could be online or offline, like gyms and gatherings over hobbies, help build social skills, resilience and confidence.
Games help youth with low self-esteem find purpose, he said. “(They) show them that they can learn, and have the potential to do more than what they think they can.”
Instead of demonising gaming, Mr Narasimman and Mr Leong distinguish between healthy gaming – which focuses on mastery, teamwork, and connection – and unhealthy gaming, which encourages players to keep playing, often by giving small, frequent rewards and extreme violence.
Minecraft is an example of a “healthy game”, which Impart uses to reach out to youth.
When gaming becomes problematic, Impart encourages youth to reflect on what the gaming experience provides for them, mirroring the approach used in third places.
“We want to let youth know that it’s okay to be curious, it’s okay to want to explore,” Mr Leong said. “We want our youth to find that spark in them again through these third spaces.”
Preoccupation with gaming at the expense of other activities
Isolation from family, friends, or previously enjoyed social activities
Avoiding responsibilities or basic self-care (for example, skipping meals and neglecting hygiene)
Secretive behaviour around gaming or screen use
Anxiety, irritability, or aggression when devices are taken away or access is restricted
High levels of stress, negative emotions, or mood swings tied to gaming
Declining school or work performance
Difficulty waking up in the morning or maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Financial strain from in-game purchases, subscriptions
Relationships with partners, peers, or family suffering due to excessive gaming
Take regular breaks from gaming
Engage in offline activities like sports, exercise, or hobbies. Reinforce a balanced lifestyle that includes sleep, schoolwork, chores, and family time alongside gaming
Talk to a trusted adult, family member, or therapist if you are facing stress or difficult situations
Create a schedule or timetable to manage gaming and other activities
Ensure adequate sleep and self-care, even while gaming
Use the internet with your children
Take interest in the games they are playing and friends they are making online
Teach children to recognise unhealthy behaviour like neglecting schoolwork, sleeping late
Take time daily to check in with your children on their school life, relationships
Establish clear family rules for internet use
Choose video games that are kid-friendly and age-appropriate, try playing them first
Use parental controls to limit screen time and monitor game usage
Help children develop offline coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions