The increasing prevalence of virtual games among School students and their affects on mental health and academic performance

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the affects of virtual games on school children’s mental health and academic performance in Kuchaveli Division of Trincomalee Education Zone. 100 junior secondary students, 20 teachers and 10 parents were selected as responded in the study using the quantitative approach. The research instruments in this study were questionnaires and interview. Students were given questionnaires, and data were gathered through interviews from teachers and parents. The findings showed that since more students prefer to play virtual video games, Gaming disorders have been increased among the schoolchildren and have an impact on both students' mental health and academic performance. As a consequence, guidelines for using technological communication devices, techniques for parents to conduct self-inquiry about their children and strategies to divert children's attention from online gaming are recommended.