“Game Over” – Successful Guest Lecture on Addictive Behavior in Digital Gaming

On November 4, 2025, the well-attended guest lecture “Game Over – Addictive Behavior in Digital Gaming” took place at the RESOWI Center of the University of Graz. The event was organized by SICHER LEBEN in cooperation with ACIPSS and addressed a highly relevant social issue: the responsible use of digital games, particularly among children and adolescents.

The speaker, Markus Meschik, Head of the Graz-based Center for Digital Games “enter,” spoke about the complex relationships between gaming, addiction potential, and violence. In his scientifically sound yet practical presentation, he highlighted where genuine concerns are justified – and where digital games are often problematized without sufficient reason.

The main focus areas included:

• Characteristics of pathological gaming behavior and how to address them in educational practice
• Spending behavior and business models in digital gaming, such as in-game purchases and subscription services
• The connections between portrayed violence and real-life behavior

Particularly valuable was the differentiated perspective on the everyday lives of young people: digital games are now an integral part of their daily routines – at the same time, clear guidance, media literacy, and education for parents and educators are essential.

The lecture was met with great interest and was followed by an intensive discussion with the audience, during which many practical questions from family and school life were addressed. The event clearly demonstrated how important an objective exchange about the opportunities and risks of digital media is.