Video game addiction
August 14th, 2008 / 14 Comments
Gears of War, Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft…
These are just a few among hundreds of video and computer games that kids are playing, often playing late into the night when their parents are asleep.
Talk to a few parents and you will soon hear laments about their son spending too much time on the computer or game console playing games - 4 hours, 6 hours, even 10 hours a day (Do they sleep??)
The harmful effects of game addiction is not limited to violent games such as Grand Theft Auto, but also seemingly innocent games such as SuperMario.
At what point does the playing of a game become a damaging addiction?
Here are 5 questions to ask if your child may be overboard in playing a “game” (Based on Dr. Mark Griffith’s research on video game addiction):
1. Does your child play almost every day?
2. Does your child play for long periods of of 3-4 hours at a time?
3. Does your child get restless and irritable if he does not play?
4. Does your child try to cut down on playing, but can’t?
5. Does your child lose interest in real-life activities and sacrifice social events to play?
If you answer yes to most of these questions, what should you do about it?
We will continue to explore this issue in upcoming posts.
What experiences have you had with this issue of gaming addiction?
Comments
I think games are terrific, in SMALL measure. They are great for cognition and spacial relationships, but this is best if the family does it together. Check out this post if you have three or four minutes. It discusses the subject on a far more primitive level.
http://writerdad.com/?p=131
Writer Dad: nice post! Ah…Pac-Man and Centipede brought back memories…
I do encourage parents to play video/computer games with their kids - http://tinyurl.com/63bwx2
It’s not really the kids, but ME! I keep getting caught playing in the Webkinz arcade and my daughter will say, “Not again, Mom!”
Momo: First I heard of anyone addicted to Webkinz!
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I’m 14 myself and no I dont have a child.I’m really posting to give parents the child’s point of view.That and i’m mature for my age
1. Does your child play almost every day?
Yup, every day but only because my friends live 10 miles away and my parents wont let me go see them because they cant be bothered giving me a lift.
2. Does your child play for long periods of of 3-4 hours at a time?
24/7 really but for the same reason as above.
3. Does your child get restless and irritable if he does not play?
Very because if i’m not playing theres nothing fun to do
4. Does your child try to cut down on playing, but can’t?
no, not really.I dont see a problem in it.
5. Does your child lose interest in real-life activities and sacrifice social events to play?
I wouldnt say “lose intrest” cause i didnt have any intrest to begin with but the answers yes.
If you answer yes to most of these questions, what should you do about it?
Absoloutely nothing.Let your child play video games! God its not like its against the law.Me and my friends love to play video games.Any types good really.Its just what we’re intrested in, even our hobby.I say whats wrong with video games being a hobby? Sure it doesnt get you any exercise like cycling or dancing, but its still a fun activity for them.
Also, just to point out, its been confirmed that some children play because of their parents.If their parents are having a go at them they can run to their room and play video games.Its like going into another world away from the stress and when it blows over they can come back to this world.
-JY
“Every man has a right to his opinion.” Even us children
Joey, glad to see your comment. You raise excellent points.
First, I agree with you the parent’s responsibility. In my post “Internet Use Contract”., the first part is the parent’s contract. Of the 10 parent’s responsibilities, 3 of them are:
1. I will make or find a list of recommended sites for my children to visit.
2. I promise not to use a computer or the Internet as an electronic babysitter.
7. I will provide my children with opportunities for other types of entertainment and recreation involving outdoor and/or physical activity.
Joey,the problem with games is not the games themselves, but rather the lost of opportunity.
If computer games did not exist, maybe you will be inventing a better slingshot,or be writing a scifi book. You not only sound mature, but sound like a smart kid with good insights. You probably could be doing a lot of other great stuff.
Is it possible that you have no other interests because you did not give yourself opportunities to explore them? Are games a default position simply because it’s comfortable and you don’t have to make extra effort to do something else?
I also agree with you that kids use games to let out stress. But that’s only for a short time, not 24/7. If games become an escape from dealing with real life, then it’s like taking drugs, and that’s a problem.
Katy i like seeing your posts cause you’re pretty smart yourself
If computers didnt exist maybe i would be doing something productive.But really, my computer cant keep me entertained all the time.If i play a game for so long i’ll eventually get bored of it.When i’m bored of my computer, i normally study.However, if you look at the advantages of a computer they can help in productiveness too.
For example, i have an english essay due in for tomorrow and i left my english book in class so i had no clue on what to write.I had to write about a character from a book.So what ddi i do? Used my computer and within 20 minutes my essay was finished with no spelling mistakes either thanks to my computer.After being on the computer for so long, i can type faster than i can write, and its not as hard so when it comes to writing, my computers an advantage.
As for the oppertunities.I hang around with my friends at school.We just walk round and talk.Now my choices are i can do that on the weekend as well or i can play video games.Really, i’d choose the video games because its more fun than just walking and talking.And on my comouter i could talk without walking so it helps that i’m lazy
Drugs are a problem that they damage your health.Computers can do that too.They can make your eyes sore and since you’re only in one place all day you can get overweight by them.Back on topic, its not so much “escaping” the problem but more “delaying” the problem.Once they’ve played their games and they’ve calmed down they’re ready to combat the situation.Children are like that.We dont like handling so much stress, even if its not too much.So really computers not as bad as drugs, but you’re right in saying they’re pretty bad.I mean when I’m older I couldnt run home in the middle of work after my days been stressful and play video games, though i’d like to.
-JY
I forgot to add, the answer to number one is false, its just that they work a lot so when i ask, i end up asking at the wrong time but when they’re done work its normally too late.I dont bother asking cause i dont want to bother them really :/
Joey, I am relieved to hear that number one is false…I was beginning to think that your parents were real jerks if they wouldn’t even bother to take you to see your friends.
And you can see that sometimes parents just can’t do what their kids want because adults have responsibility to put food on the table and pay to upgrade your computer for you when you want it…:)
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