CHENNAI: Senior psychiatrist Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, who runs suicide prevention NGO SNEHA, was part of the four-member committee led by Justice K Chandru. She tells Pushpa Narayan why it recommended the ban. Excerpts:
Why do you think online gaming must be banned?
Today, most people have smartphones and hence online gaming remains accessible twenty-four hours a day. This makes It has pushed people into poverty, broken families and caused public health havoc. Tamil Nadu has recorded more than 44 suicides because of online gambling. Studies say that for every suicide there are at least 20 more attempts. We don’t know how many attempts have happened because of online rummy, but we have enough case studies to show and society at large.
Do you think suicides are a strong enough reason for a blanket ban? Suicides happen for failures in exams or crop harvests too?
Of course. But in 2004, the media and mental health professionals convinced the Tamil Nadu government to take a proactive measure to introduce supplementary exams for Class X and Class XII boards. From 407 exam failure suicides in 2004, the number dropped to 215 in 2019. In 2021, although the number of students appearing for examinations went up, the number of suicides due to exam failure was 102. We may need different strategies, immediate and long term, to stop suicides in different groups. Addiction to alcohol, will all need separate plans. Health policies must address them.
How serious is an addiction to gambling compared to any other addictions?
We don’t have studies for Tamil Nadu yet, but studies done abroad show the risk of addiction to online gambling is atpeople who are addicted to alcohol or the internet. With a phone in hand, any weak moment is enough to get back to gaming.
How does addiction affect the human brain?
No one starts playing a game to become an addict. People start playing to get dopamine release or a high. When they play repeatedly, they exhaust that feeling and move into the phase of withdrawal. This is when the amygdala systems are involved and there is a compulsion to play not to get high, but to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The prefrontal systems of the brain come to play and there is a craving to engage all the time. In this addiction phase, there is a functional network change in the brain. These people will need professional help to kick the habit.
Courts have said online gaming is a game of skill and citizens have the right to use platforms to exhibit their skills.
I get at least two new patients a week – that is the level of addiction. After analysing their case sheet, I realise this is more of a game ofchance. Also, gaming companies are in business to make a profit. They use AI and algorithms to ensure people spend more money. And when they are addicted to the game they need help to exit.