The Impact of Digital Play on Social Health: A Critical Exploration
In today's digital age, the role of video games in our lives is undeniable, but what impact do they have on our overall health and well-being?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting you to a thought-provoking webinar, where we delve into the complex relationship between digital play and social health. But here's where it gets controversial: while video games have become an integral part of many people's lives, the evidence surrounding their effects on social connection, isolation, and loneliness is limited and often conflicting.
Join us on this journey as we explore the potential benefits and risks of digital play, and how it shapes our physical, mental, and social health.
Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Time: 16:00–17:15 CET
Location: Virtual
The WHO's Frontier Technologies and AI Unit, in collaboration with the social connection team, are organizing this webinar to spark a global conversation on the importance of social connection and its impact on health.
Why is this conversation crucial?
Video games, as one of the largest digital communities and industries, warrant our attention and rigorous scientific inquiry. With the rise of new technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, the complexity and potential opportunities and risks for our health only increase.
Our Objectives:
- Share key insights from WHO's research on social connection and the role of digital technologies, including video games.
- Contextualize social health as a critical dimension alongside physical and mental health when assessing the potential harms and benefits of video gameplay.
- Reflect on the broader public health implications of video games, encompassing physical activity, mental health, gaming disorders, and commercial determinants of health.
- Identify gaps, questions, and ideas for future research and policy development.
This is not just a debate; it's an opportunity to collectively explore and understand the implications of existing and emerging evidence on digital play.
Background:
The WHO Commission on Social Connection released a groundbreaking report in June 2025, highlighting social isolation and loneliness as significant public health concerns with detrimental effects on health and well-being. The report acknowledges the growing concern about digital technologies and their impact on loneliness, but notes that the evidence is still limited and varied.
Other initiatives, such as the Lancet Commission's investigation into problematic internet usage and WHO's inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11, further emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of digital technologies on health.
As part of WHO's commitment to engaging with people in their digital spaces, this webinar is a step towards exploring the intersection of video games, their communities, and the industry's commercial interests with social connection.
We invite you to be a part of this conversation, to listen, learn, and contribute to shaping healthier digital environments.
And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about reaching conclusions, but about fostering an ongoing dialogue and a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between digital play and social health.
What are your thoughts on this critical issue? Share your insights and join the discussion in the comments below!
