PUBG mania

Recently, the PTA suspended the famous online shooting game PUBG after a third suicide case of a gaming addict was reported in the country within two weeks. The decision has stirred quite the uproar amongst teenagers who had resorted to playing the game amid the pandemic crisis. Authorities claim that they have been receiving numerous complaints from people across all different segments of society, expressing concerns over the change in their child’s behaviour, specifically after failing a mission assigned in the game. International research on gaming addiction confirms their fears, as violent games could very well trigger aggressive thoughts and increase agitation and heart-rate levels among children.

While the dangers of gaming addiction are very real, the situation cannot be analysed or treated in an isolated form as multiple factors need to be addressed. The first misconception is thinking that these incidents aren’t linked to social or class divide. The quality of life of most young teenagers in Pakistan is deplorable: Expensive TV and gaming consoles, constant load-shedding, an abysmal education system and lack of entertainment avenues have forced millions of teenagers to fall back on such games that are just a download away. Furthermore, the game allows youngsters, whose families are having a difficult time in making ends meet, to earn money by uploading their competitive games online. The suspension will therefore also have a huge effect on the e-sports business in the country. It also hints at another growing concern of mental illness. While the game might have been the trigger for suicide, the underlying psychological problem however breeds with time.

The authorities need to rethink their decision by taking other factors into consideration. There is a serious need to create wide-scale awareness about suicide, mental health and addiction. Only by accounting the various factors linked to the incident can the government try and ameliorate the problem.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2020.

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