Computer gambling addiction and identity crisis: A socio-philosophical perspective

Gambling addiction as a social problem is becoming more and more relevant in conditions of almost complete transition of society to digital ways of interaction, when people spend most of their working and personal time on the Internet. The author considers computer game addiction as a factor affecting the processes of personal identification and self-identification. This is due to the fact that, immersed in a virtual gaming environment, a gamer has the opportunity to independently form his identity, using a game character and transferring its external data, attributes, character, habits and other parameters, ultimately on himself. In addition, interaction in the network community of players also does not require the demonstration of a real image, practically not limiting the player in the choice of means of personal identification. In the article, the author identified the signs of computer game addiction, including complete immersion in the game, inability to control their behavior during the game and immediately after leaving it, inability to manage time, loss of connection with reality, transformation of goals and interests, leading to an increase in aggression, implementation of antisocial behavior patterns, destruction of social ties and almost complete loss of skills of constructive interpersonal interaction. Substitution of values, loss of moral ideas and guidelines, inability to empathy, aggression, increased anxiety, isolation, decline in general intellectual level — these are not all the consequences of computer game addiction. According to the author, the prevention of cybernetic gambling addiction requires active information work with the population, as well as the development of a mechanism of legal regulation of online gambling.