The role of internet gaming disorder in social withdrawal during adolescence: the Forteen space as an example of a multidisciplinary intervention
Published 2025-06-11
Keywords
- Social retreat, Internet gaming disorder, Teenagers, EduGamer.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Adriano De Blasi, Enea Astolfi, Filippo Bucciarelli, Anastasia Giangrande, Arianna Glorioso, Giovanna Maciariello, Maura Perrone
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
This article stems from a reflection on the experience of the Forteen space, a gathering place in Bologna dedicated to adolescents and young people with psychosocial vulnerabilities.
Forteen primarily welcomes adolescents and young people who are experiencing social retreat. The phenomenon of social retreat involves a process in which adolescents and young people distance themselves from social interactions and is often associated with states of psychological distress and crises of autonomy. The choice to isolate oneself can represent a defence mechanism against internal and external anxieties, which in many cases manifests through gaming and other solitary activities. From a psychological perspective, isolation is a maladaptive response to a world perceived as hostile or excessively performative, leading young people to avoid relationships and social roles where they feel inadequate. This issue is exacerbated by gaming disorder, where gaming becomes an emotional refuge that further fuels isolation and disconnection from the real world. The Forteen space, through collective gaming and other artistic and musical activities, aims to recreate a safe social environment where young people can develop relational skills without performance expectations. The article advocates for a paradigm shift that integrates psychological and sociological perspectives to better understand contemporary youth distress. It explores the need for innovative approaches that avoid pathologizing new forms of social isolation, instead considering the influence of the digital society and global communication on identity formation and mental health.
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