THE IMPACT OF MOBILE GAMING ON THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STU-DENTS

This study examines the impact of mobile gaming on the physical health, emotional well-being, social behaviour, and study habits of secondary school students. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 160 students (110 boys and 50 girls) studying in Classes IX and X from selected secondary schools in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh. A standardised Adjustment Inventory covering physical health, emotional health, social behaviour, and study habits was used for data collection. The data were analysed using Mean, Standard Deviation, and Welch’s t-test. The findings indicated that the impact of mobile gaming did not differ significantly across class levels, school management, or rural–urban location. However, a significant gender difference was observed, with boys obtaining higher mean scores than girls. The results further showed that moderate use of mobile games was associated with benefits such as stress reduction, better coordination, and improved digital skills, whereas excessive gaming was linked to poor concentration, disturbed sleep, weaker social relationships, and less effective study habits. The study concludes that balanced and regulated mobile gaming can be beneficial, but excessive use poses risks to students’ overall well-being. The findings highlight the need for parental guidance, school-based awareness, and digital literacy programmes to promote healthy gaming practices.