Game Addiction in the Digitalization Era: The Impact of Technology on Youth Behavior

Advancements in communication and information technology have significantly influenced online gaming, transforming it into a vital platform for entertainment and social interaction among youth. Online games now play an essential role in shaping social connections, behavioral patterns, and emotional development. This study examines the impact of technological advancements in online gaming on youth behavior and character by analyzing variables related to social connection, perceived usefulness, online game loyalty, and game addiction. Data were collected from 427 respondents (65% male, 35% female) aged 18–24, with 75% from Jakarta and the remainder from Bandung, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling, targeting active gamers who play at least 10 hours per week to ensure the relevance of the data. The study employed surveys, interviews, and literature reviews to provide a comprehensive overview. Statistical analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), which demonstrated strong reliability and validity (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7, AVE > 0.5). The results showed that online gaming positively influences social connectivity (92%) and cognitive skills (89%), providing opportunities for players to enhance teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. However, the study also found that online gaming can contribute to negative outcomes, including addiction (94%), decreased academic performance, and weakened social relationships due to excessive gaming. Overall, the findings emphasize the dual nature of online gaming's impact on youth, highlighting the need for balanced gaming habits and recommending targeted educational interventions and digital literacy programs to mitigate the negative effects while leveraging the cognitive and social benefits of online gaming.通信与信息技术的迭代升级显著推动了网络游戏行业的发展，使其成为青年群体娱乐消遣与社交互动的核心载体。当前，网络游戏已成为塑造青年社交联结、行为模式与情感发展的关键要素。本研究围绕社交联结、感知有用性、游戏忠诚度与游戏成瘾等变量展开分析，探讨网络游戏技术迭代对青年行为与人格塑造的影响。本次研究共纳入427名受访者，受访者年龄介于18至24岁之间，其中男性占比65%、女性占比35%；75%的受访者来自雅加达，其余分别来自万隆、泗水与日惹。受访者采用立意抽样法选取，筛选标准为周游戏时长不少于10小时的活跃玩家，以保障数据相关性。研究通过问卷调查、访谈与文献综述相结合的方式，力求形成全面系统的研究图景。本次研究采用偏最小二乘结构方程模型（Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling，PLS-SEM）进行统计分析，结果显示模型具备良好的信度与效度（克朗巴哈α系数>0.7，平均萃取方差>0.5）。研究结果表明，网络游戏对社交联结（影响占比92%）与认知能力（影响占比89%）具有正向促进作用，可为玩家提供提升团队协作、战略思维与问题解决能力的契机。但研究同时发现，网络游戏也会带来一系列负面影响，包括游戏成瘾（影响占比94%）、学业成绩下滑，以及因过度游戏导致的现实社交关系弱化。综上，本研究结果凸显了网络游戏对青年群体影响的双重性，强调培育均衡游戏习惯的必要性，并建议推出针对性教育干预措施与数字素养提升项目，在充分发挥网络游戏认知与社交价值的同时，有效规避其负面影响。