Working towards an international consensus on criteria for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder: a critical commentary on Petry et al (2014)

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has become an increasingly researched phenomenon and has led to many debates about how it should be conceptualized and assessed. Aims: A recent paper by Petry and colleagues (2014) claimed there was now an international consensus for assessing IGD. The present opinion paper provides critical commentary on a number of issues raised in that paper. Method: Utilizing the shared expertise of the present authors concerning IGD, a number of issues raised by Petry et al. are critiqued. Results: The present paper demonstrates that there are concerns about (i) voting method used by Petry et al (2014) to reach consensus on IGD criteria, (ii) lack of field testing and theoretical framework, and patient information, (iii) criteria omissions and lack of emphasis on critical aspects of assessment, (iv) whether IGD and Internet Use Disorder are the same, and (v) whether offline gaming disorder should be considered as a sub-type of IGD. Conclusion: It is hoped that the issues and concerns raised in the present paper will foster debate in the IGD field and lead to improved theory, better methodologically designed studies, and more robust empirical evidence as regards problematic gaming and its psychosocial consequences and impact