Online Gaming and Socio-moral Well-being: The Case of Nairobi City Teenagers

Abstract

In a changing world where parents are relatively absent, children have often found online gaming attractive. This is driven by technological advancements and the relatively low internet cost within Nairobi City County Kenya hence, leaving teenagers susceptible to the negative effects of online gaming. While online gaming can serve as a tool to enhance education as well as a form of entertainment, excessive and unsupervised engagement raises concern on its effects on teenagers’ social, emotional and moral wellbeing. The study underscored the importance of parental involvement in mitigating the negative effects of online gaming. The study was guided by Digital Balance Theory. A descriptive research design was employed to gather qualitative data.  Using stratified random sampling, the study was conducted in five secondary schools in Nairobi County, with the target population comprising of twenty (20) subject teachers and one hundred and eighty (180) secondary school learners. The findings revealed that a high percentage of teenagers spend at least three (3) hours engaged in online gaming. In addition, there was a significant increase in aggressive behaviour among teens within the school setting. Students addicted to online gaming exhibited symptoms of anxiety and exhaustion. The study ended by making recommendations.