Addictive Video Games Left 12 Year Old With Neurological Harm, Lawsuit Claims

Lawsuit alleges video game developers used reward systems, randomized challenges and social interaction features intentionally designed to encourage compulsive gameplay and reinforce addictive behavior in children.

A Mississippi family has filed a video game addiction lawsuit alleging a 12-year-old boy suffered neurological and psychological harm after becoming addicted to Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by A.H., a minor, through his parent and legal guardian, Bridgette Williams, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 27. It names Roblox Corporation, Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation and Mojang AB as defendants.

A.H. and his mother claim those companies’ games were intentionally designed to keep children playing through the use of manipulative behavioral conditioning systems.

Internet Gaming Disorder Concerns

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is characterized by compulsive and excessive video game use that begins to interfere with everyday life, personal interests and important responsibilities. The condition has been formally recognized as a mental health disorder in both the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Symptoms commonly associated with IGD include difficulty controlling the amount of time spent gaming, obsessive focus on video games, loss of interest in other activities, hiding gaming habits from family or friends and continuing to play despite negative consequences. The disorder can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, contributing to academic struggles, social isolation, damaged relationships and problems maintaining employment or progressing toward independence in adulthood.

As concerns grow that popular games are intentionally designed to maximize engagement among young users, a rising number of families are filing video game addiction lawsuits. The claims allege companies behind titles such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft prioritized profits and user retention over the mental health and safety of children and teenagers.

Video Game Addiction Allegations

According to the complaint, A.H. began playing Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite in 2021, when he was 8 years old, and quickly developed a compulsive relationship with the games.

The lawsuit indicates the child often played for extended periods, exceeding 10 hours per day, becoming unable to stop using the products despite suffering serious emotional and behavioral consequences.

Plaintiffs allege the games’ reward systems, randomized challenges, feedback loops and social interaction features were specifically designed to encourage continuous play and reinforce addictive behavior patterns.

As a result of the alleged addiction, the lawsuit claims A.H. developed “gamer’s rage,” behavioral issues at school, nightmares, anxiety, depression, diminished social interaction and suicidal ideation.

The complaint further alleges that in 2025 the child took a knife from the kitchen and threatened to harm himself after the games were taken away from him.

According to the lawsuit, A.H. currently continues to play the games for approximately six hours per day on school days and up to 10 hours per day on weekends, despite receiving therapy from a mental health provider.

The family maintains they were unaware the games allegedly used behavioral modification techniques designed to encourage compulsive use and did not know those features could cause long-term neurological and psychological harm.

“Each Defendant enlisted licensed psychologists and psychiatrists to incorporate the Cognitive Behavior Therapy technique of operant conditioning into its video game products, thereby exposing minor children to psychological techniques without adequate warning, contrary to the standards applicable to those licensed mental health professionals that require informed consent.”

— A.H. v. Roblox Corporation et al.

The lawsuit raises allegations of strict product liability, design defect, failure to warn, negligence, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and fraud. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages for alleged physical, neurological, psychological and emotional injuries linked to the child’s compulsive gaming behavior.

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