Are video games making us more connected, or driving us further apart? That's the billion-dollar question the World Health Organization (WHO) is tackling head-on. And the answers aren't as simple as you might think.
The WHO is hosting a public webinar titled "Social Health and Digital Play: A Conversation, Not a Conclusion" to delve into this complex issue. This isn't about delivering definitive answers; it's about sparking a crucial discussion, exploring the current evidence, and identifying the key questions that need further investigation. It's scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 16:00 to 17:15 CET and will be held virtually, making it accessible to a global audience.
Digital play, especially video games, is a massive part of modern life. Their immense popularity transforms them into significant cultural and social hubs, making them ripe for examination under the WHO's new emphasis on social well-being. To foster healthier digital environments, we first need a deeper understanding of how digital play impacts our overall health and well-being. The WHO is committed to exploring how digital play influences physical, mental, cognitive, and social aspects of health.
This webinar, organized by the WHO’s Frontier Technologies and AI Unit with support from the social connection team, aims to highlight the importance of social connection as a vital factor in determining health. It's an invitation to an open conversation where participants can listen, learn, and consider diverse perspectives on shaping healthier digital spaces. The goal isn't to reach a final verdict, but to thoroughly analyze the implications of both existing and emerging research on digital play. But here's where it gets controversial... are we focusing too much on the negative aspects of gaming and ignoring the potential benefits?
The webinar's objectives are clear:
- Share WHO Insights: Discuss key findings from the WHO's work on social connection and explore what we currently understand about the role of digital technologies, including video games, in influencing social connections. For example, some studies suggest online gaming communities can provide valuable social support for individuals who struggle with face-to-face interactions.
- Contextualize Social Health: Emphasize that social health is just one piece of the puzzle when evaluating the potential risks and rewards of video games, alongside physical and mental health. Think about it: spending hours gaming might lead to physical inactivity, but it could also provide a much-needed mental escape from stress.
- Reflect on Public Health Implications: Analyze the broader public health implications of video games, including physical activity levels, mental health effects, the development of gaming disorders (a recognized condition in the ICD-11), and the commercial factors that influence health. And this is the part most people miss... how much does the profit motive of game companies influence the design and marketing of games, potentially impacting player health?
- Identify Future Directions: Pinpoint key questions, gaps in knowledge, and potential avenues for future research and policy development. This includes exploring preventative strategies and considering the impact of commercial determinants of health.
This isn't a debate; it's an invitation to collaborative thinking. The WHO wants to create a space for constructive dialogue, not adversarial arguments.
The Foundation for the Conversation
The WHO Commission on Social Connection issued a groundbreaking report in June 2025, underscoring social isolation and loneliness as significant and widespread public health concerns that negatively impact health and well-being. The report also acknowledges that while digital technologies have raised awareness of loneliness, the evidence regarding their impact on social connection, including the role of video games, remains limited and mixed. Some argue that the anonymity of online interactions can actually hinder the development of genuine social bonds.
Furthermore, initiatives like the Lancet Commission's investigation into problematic Internet use and the WHO's inclusion of gaming disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) reflect ongoing efforts to understand the impact of digital technologies on health.
Video games are a dominant force in the digital world, boasting massive communities and a thriving industry. Their continued growth necessitates careful attention and rigorous scientific research to understand their effects on health and well-being. Emerging technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence introduce further complexity, potentially amplifying both the opportunities and risks for physical, mental, and social health. For instance, VR gaming could offer immersive exercise experiences, but also exacerbate issues of social isolation.
The webinar will explore how various stakeholders can contribute to a deeper understanding of how people can engage with video games in ways that promote health, maximize potential benefits, and minimize risks. This includes implementing population-based prevention strategies and drawing lessons from frameworks related to both commercial determinants of health and mental health. Is it our responsibility to educate and empower people to make healthy choices in their digital lives, or should the gaming industry bear more responsibility for creating safe and healthy environments?
As part of the WHO's commitment to engaging with people where they are – including in digital spaces – this webinar is part of a broader effort to explore the intersection of video games, their extensive communities, and the commercial interests of the gaming industry with social connection. It aims to understand how these factors benefit or harm health and social connection, and to determine the implications for future approaches to health, well-being, and the creation of healthy digital environments.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe video games are primarily a force for good or ill when it comes to social connection? Share your perspective in the comments below! Let's start a conversation.
