Teenage pressure: The new game Consume Me” shows the dark side of eating disorders

Teenage pressure: The new game Consume Me” shows the dark side of eating disorders

In a world where social media and digital games are having an ever-increasing impact on young people's lives, indie game Consume Me is coming to the fore. Developed by the talented Jenny Jiao Hsia, it highlights the challenges many teenagers face today. How Radio Ennepe Ruhr reports, the main character Jenny, a teenager from New York, struggles not only with her mother's expectations, but also with self-imposed standards and her own relationship with food.

The game addresses essential questions surrounding eating disorders and the pressure that many young people face. As a player, you have to strategically place various foods - from kale to cookies - and satisfy the protagonist's hunger. But here’s where it gets tricky: Hunger spaces have to be occupied without exceeding the specified amount of energy, which is measured in “bites”. Too many bites and Jenny threatens to polish up her free time with additional exercise. The further the game progresses, the higher the requirements and the stricter the limits.

The digital reality of today's youth

The challenges presented in “Consume Me” also come in the context of an increasing number of youth struggling with problematic behaviors around digital media. According to a report by the World Health Organization Around 11% of young people show signs of problematic use of social media. Girls are particularly affected, as the proportion is 13% compared to 9% of boys. This is directly related to constant online contact and the associated social expectations.

While 34% of young people use digital games every day, 12% can even be classified as at risk due to their gaming behavior. An open commitment to the challenges and an exchange about digital skills appear essential. The WHO expert Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, for example, emphasizes the need to support young people in developing healthy online habits and creating awareness of digital well-being.

A look at the gaming experience

Back to “Consume Me”: The game brings humorous and sensitive approaches to dealing with difficult topics and shows the reality in which many teenagers have to assert themselves. With a total of 13 different endings - most of them rather negative - the game offers an honest reflection on pressure, even if it is packaged lightly. It costs around 15 euros and is available on platforms such as Itch.io and Steam for PC and MacOS, where it has already been given an age rating of 12 years and over.

Recognizing the significant challenges youth face, Consume Me is more than just a game. It calls for open discussion of issues such as eating disorders and social pressure and provides a platform that may even contribute to a better understanding among young people. Ultimately, it turns out that anyone who has a good knack for complex topics will find new ways to express themselves in the digital space.