(WLUK/CNN) – The World Health Organization is expected to include "gaming disorder" on its list of mental health conditions in 2018 as a part of addictive behaviors.
WHO defines the disorder as a "persistent or recurrent" behavior pattern of "sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning."
The new disorder entry "includes only a clinical description and not prevention and treatment options," a spokesman for the health organization said.
Some experts disagree with labeling this addiction as a disorder.
Almost 9 percent of children who play video games are addicted, research from a psychologist at Iowa State University says.
The research also found similar numbers globally.
Increased availability of technology and broadband internet gets the blame for contributing to gaming addictions, according to the research.
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