Online games are played on the computer by the accessibility of the internet. Our world's most popular games like 'World of Warcraft' and 'Counter-strike' are successful because players can interact with each other. Research as of 2008 indicates that 70% of the young aged 9-19 years have played online games before.
With the constant ever-changing world of new media, anything is possible. In cyber-space, time and distance are a no problem, and cultural barriers are broken down. Players can meet each other in unreal places from around the world which gives a strong sense of community. New friends are made and enemies are just trashed that quick. Furthermore, anybody can be whoever they want to be! Research (at Brunel University) also indicates that players can gain vital social and cultural skills, which will come in handy in life later.
Online Gaming Addiction Video
What is online gaming addiction?
Do you know? Online gaming addiction is the most common form of internet addiction where gamers spend hours online which makes them neglect important areas of their lives, including their health, education, work and family. An addict usually spends over 4 hours gaming and will most likely throw tantrums when this isn't possible. However, gaming addiction isn't widely known like smoking, alcohol or gambling addictions. Although mental health professionals agree that this addiction exists, there is no official diagnosis. Sadly, gaming addiction has no criteria of its own. Gamaholics’ are found in different age, cultural and social groups especially male teenagers.
What are the causes of the addiction?
Addictions simply means when one action becomes the central focus of a person’s life. Similarly, low self esteem, depression, problems in the home environment and poor social skills are common causes of gaming addiction. Gamers often rely too heavily on games to provide relief and distraction from the 'real world' which makes quitting a no easy task. The social and competitive nature of gaming also makes it hard to quit.
What are the effects?
Definitely there are many people who know how to play in moderation. Gaming becomes a problem only when it takes control of the person. The problems posed would be:
- Self-neglect
- Poor posture/back problems
- Health issues like busted wrists and dry eyes
- Avoid eating, washing and sleeping
- Strain on relationships where break-ups occur because players choose gaming over their partners and families
- Death, which is extreme and rare, gaming has been blamed for a number of deaths
Example on point 6, an infant died because his father was too busy gaming to care for him. Some people complained that there should definitely be a warning on the box in stores. However, gaming companies claim it is up to the players to be responsible.
Any cure for gaming addiction?
A rehab gaming clinic (The Smith & Jones GAMESTERDAM clinic) has opened in Amsterdam. It is the world's first treatment centre for obsessive gamers which includes 'gamaholics' camping, so that patients can experience a thrill in other healthy activities.
Just for your information: In China, new laws have been introduced to restrict teenagers from playing too much. Do read on the article at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-07-17-china-limits-teen-game-time_N.htm
Discussion
- Do share if you have any experience in addiction of online gaming or know some other people who do.
- Do you think there will be an official diagnosis for online gaming addiction?
- What are ways that you can do to avoid being too reliable on online games during your free time?
FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS! :)
Special thanks to http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=84, http://hubpages.com/hub/Computer-Gaming-Addiction, yahoo.com, google.com and youtube.com for great references, images and video.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI think gaming a little bit is fine, so long as one is able to prioritize the more important things in life, like work, or relationships. In fact, I'm totally fine with people who game for long periods of time, so long as they know what they are doing, and they realize that they are playing a game for fun and not entirely dependent on it to pass time.
Mark Christian Klass
0906354F
Hey Mark,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you that a little gaming is fine, just so to relieve stress or to relax your mind, as long as you do it in moderation:)
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteI think most teenage boys and some girls will go through a phase in their lives where they are addicted to online gaming. But the point in your post that struck me the most was the one on the rehab clinic. For that to stand, i believe the addiction must have been very serious.
Like everything else in life, moderation is key and too much of anything will be detrimental. I think the youths of Singapore should be further educated on the consequences of gaming addictions and provide alternative solutions to prevent them from addictions.
Jovita Chua
0704536B
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteI am skeptical about the legitimacy of online game addiction. Is it a genuine medical condition or is it just people with no self-control given an outlet to descend into? Until there is conclusive research done proving the veracity of online game addiction, I will remain thinking that this "addiction" is simply a crutch for gamers with no willpower to fall back on.
Shea John Driscoll
0701154G
Hi Farahin!
ReplyDeleteI agree that sometimes, gaming can help to improve a person's overall coordination. However, I think that online gaming becomes a serious issue and one which needs the help of a doctor only when the person is glued to the computer 24/7 and refuses to get out of the house, even becoming violent because of the game.
Otherwise, I think it's just a recreational "hobby" for some teenagers out there.
Sharon
0805656F
Hello Farahin,
ReplyDeletehmm.. I myself had been playing an online game for few years already. But I don't find myself being addicted to the game. I only plays it during my free time. (:
Well, I guess its all up to an individual whether they want to find any other activities to kill their time rather than spend their time gaming away.
Fiona
0800748F
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteIn my point of view, i think online game is a way to release the pressure, and some online games can stimulate our brain, and tells the way to solve the problems.
I am addict to some certain games as well, because i think it's very fun and interesting. Also, people can gain self-confidence via gaming.
But, as Fiona said, it depends on individual, and how to manage time to play online games.
Mengying
0906481G
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteI think game addiction will affects alot for a person normal life. I do agree that gaming will relieve from pressure. But being committed and addicting to the game is like running away from all the pressure and problems which does not help.
I think game addiction is when a person started not to care about the surrounding and take up most of his time in the game (playing or looking up for information).
Playing of game should be occasional, other activities can be done other than gaming.
Wei Chong
0901463J
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteYes I do get addicted to online games when I was in Secondary 5. I thought I would want to distress myself, however I got addicted to it especially if I lose the game. I felt frustrated and wanted to win them so much.
I think one way to stop being addicted to online games is limit ourselves by spending lesser hours in front of the computer or do other things that are beneficial
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious about how it feels like to be "addicted" to gaming since it does not impact gamers with a physical pull unlike other vices such as drugs, smoking, etc. Perhaps it is as Shea said - all in the mind. Could these "addicted" gamers merely be very accustomed to gaming?
Tan Su Yi Kay 0703121D T01
Hi,
ReplyDeletethe only game that I can say I was addicted to was Ragnarok Online and The Sims. Ha ha. But I know that gaming can be pretty addictive as you can spend days and days just playing the game and not get bored at all. I remember being stuck to my computer for so long I didn't even want to eat.
It is pretty unhealthy I suppose, so I guess one just got to try and control his or her time spent on gaming. Personally, I think gaming should just be a 'past-time' instead of a 'full-time' thing. I mean, I don't really know what people can really get from gaming apart from online interaction.
Daphne-rae Lee, 0701588F
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteI think that the right of the game is good, he not only allows us to relax, but also can promote the exchange of people, but also make some shy people open up their own, better communication with others. Of course, excessive game is not desirable, as would a waste of time
Hi Farahin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comprehensive presentation!
I was quite surprised to learn that gaming addicting can result in self-neglect, I'd thought the gaming would be fulfiling for them.
I guess self-neglect would be when someone neglects other areas of his development like his physical development, in favour of gaming. Perhaps if gamers were more aware of their self-neglect, they'd be more motivated to stop their addiction.
Aubrey Ess
0706227F
Thanks guys for the comments:)
ReplyDeleteTo Jovita- Like you, I was also shocked to know that rehab clinics for gamaholics actually existed. And definitely true that moderation is the key as to not misuse our precious time on just gaming.
To Shea- Hmm, from what I've researched, online gaming addiction is defined as a process addiction; a specific type of addiction defined as a behavior dependency, similar to compulsive shopping or gambling. So through lack of self-control, this could actually turn to a serious medical condition whereby the person cannot live without gaming.