Researchers are paying attention to mobile game addiction since it is a new type of addictive behavior that differs from traditional Internet game addiction on desktops. Due to a lack of specific instruments for measuring this new type of addiction, very few studies have examined the relationship between mobile game addiction and mental health outcomes. This study tests the relationship between mobile game addiction and social anxiety, depression, and loneliness in teenagers. Social anxiety, depression, and loneliness were positively associated with mobile game addiction. Another analysis examined gender differences in the paths from mobile game addiction to these mental health outcomes, finding that male adolescents tend to report more social anxiety when they play mobile games addictively. Other implications for practice were also discussed.

As mobile technology has developed rapidly, many functions of desktop computers have been transferred to mobile devices like iPad and smartphones, which is especially true for games. Video games accessed by mobile devices are either single-player or multi-player games. Freemium games (which are free but have extra features that customers pay for) are particularly popular when they’re available for download. According to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), mobile online game growth has reached 9.6% and adolescents are the main users. Adolescents are more vulnerable to Internet addiction because of their psychological and developmental characteristics, the ease with which they can access the Internet with a portable device, and the positive expectation of mobile gaming. Researchers have shown that video game addicts suffer poorer mental health and cognitive functioning, as well as increased emotional difficulties, such as depression and anxiety.

Although such relationships are well-documented, relatively few studies have looked at 모바일바둑이게임 addiction and mental health outcomes. So far, no measurement has been developed specifically for tracking mobile game addiction. As defined in the literature, problematic mobile video gaming is characterized by users who strongly depend on mobile games and can’t resist playing them repeatedly over an extended period of time. Studies of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) have generally focused on traditional online gaming addictions involving desktop computers. According to recent research, there only appear to be moderate correlations between the different forms of Internet addiction. Furthermore, although mobile game addictions have some similarities with traditional desktop computer online game addictions, they still differ in many ways. As a result of their portability, immediacy, and accessibility, mobile video games can lead to addictive behavior patterns and, thus, stronger mental health disorders.

Most prior studies have viewed depression, loneliness, and social anxiety as risk factors for Internet-related addiction, but few have considered the alternative direction. Taking into account potential confounding variables (gender, study load, age, and rural or urban schools), a relevant study found that depression is 1.5 times more likely to occur in students with internet addiction after six months than in non-Internet addiction students. Internet addiction can also cause depression and loneliness, according to the study. Furthermore, this study was conducted because research on the relationship between playing video games during adolescence and psychological adjustment is scarce.

Research on the relationship between playing video games and social anxiety in adolescents is especially pertinent to this subject. Thus, we might be able to understand how mobile game addiction may undermine adolescents’ social development and provide some guidance for mental health education with an investigation into this issue.