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Video Game Addiction

Video Game Addiction Studies show that the excitement of video games makes playing them addictive. Parents of preteens and teens hardly find the realities of video game addiction surprising.

Ask any preteen or teen how they love to spend their spare time, and chances are you'll get an earful about video games. But why do they love them so? Is video game addiction real? According to some studies it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. For any parent who has seen the fervor by which some kids play video games, this news is no surprise.

What makes video games so addictive? Media literacy specialist, Dr. Charles Ungerleider explains that "they're very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills." While wanting to improve their game isn't a problem in itself, it becomes one if video games are "taking a youngster away too much from other activities," says Ungerleider. "Then the parent has to intervene and limit the amount of time the youngster spends with the video game."

Professor of Computer Science, Maria Klavee feels video games, if not too violent, can "offer some real opportunities for puzzle solving, strategic and critical thinking". But she adds that it's important that video and computer games are played in moderation. Klavee says parents should "provide a selection of activities, not just the ones that have the most action or are addictive. Choose some that involve problem solving or good story lines. Also aim for a balance in your child's life. Sports are important, reading's important. Just think of computer games as one more component in a child's exploration of what's out there in society."

As for video game addiction? Ungerleider believes that "a parent can prevent youngsters from becoming addicted to too much TV or too many video games by establishing a pattern of selective viewing or by using video game material early in a child's life so that by the time a youngster gets to be an adolescent and there's very little surveillance or control, it's less likely to occur."

Finally, Ungerleider remind parents that "if a youngster becomes addicted to video games it can be a problem and the parent does need to intervene and provide attractive alternatives."

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  • a gamer
    2011-12-20 2:23 pm Permalink
  • This is Stupid.
    there not meaning u they are saying that some people take it over the game playing but in real life
  • Gamer
    2011-12-03 7:54 am Permalink
  • This is Stupid.
    You know what...this article is a brainwashing for parents.... I like to play Call of Duty and no, im not getting into the army or go all around the city shooting people. It's stupid..it doesnt affect me, i dont take it like 'killing people' i take it like 'making people loose' or just 'winning a game'...you know what is an addiction? The one that parents have with the theory that video games ruin people.
  • sankalp yadav
    2011-11-03 10:49 am Permalink
  • voilent games
    mam..................voilent games are much helpful in growth of brain than racing games etc.........so you should give permission to your child to play voilent(adventures) games...........thank u
  • ben
    2011-11-01 5:04 pm Permalink
  • this
    im a kid and im addicted to a game but it is giving me no harm. i think that being addictive to something is a part of growing up.
  • a good mom
    2011-09-20 2:11 pm Permalink
  • voilent games
    i never let my son purches a game without my consent and i linited him to 2 hours a day on the games
  • ibyang Online Games
    2011-08-08 7:00 am Permalink
  • Addiction
    video games had already invaded the minds and interests of most children and teens these days. they refuse to do the traditional and healthy games before. The addictive influence of video games can be a real problem for most parents.
  • luke
    2011-05-13 4:54 pm Permalink
  • violent games
    when you play vidéo games that are sensible its ok but if you play red dead of even grand thef auto that game as its limits if you get addicted to violent game you start to act like you are in the game . a friend was addicted to gta and went out on the street and beated up a prostitue and as well stole a car and when the cops cought him he said he just wanted to be like in gta so one helpful tips out there dont do drug and stay playing... View More
  • Azor
    2011-05-12 11:14 am Permalink
  • OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES!!!!
    You obviously don't have a clue of what you're talking about. Go do a bit of actual research on what addiction is before posting your mental drivel regarding a subject you know nothing about....
  • Azor
    2011-05-12 11:09 am Permalink
  • Re: Re: my partner is totally addicted
    Dude, if your wife is playing Evony for 18 ours a day, you should kick her a$$!I used to play evony for a total of about 10 hours a day, it got so bad I was playing at work and even started staying up until 3-4am and then getting a few hours of sleep before going to work, and play evony again! The situation really sucked! It was affecting my work, my personal life and eventually I realized I had to stop, and did, completely.
  • Allen McSpanky
    2011-04-25 7:16 pm Permalink
  • Video games
    I be hooked on dem games bruh real talk. I be playin dem for like 25 hours a day u feel me? Like, my moms got me dis xbox 360 nah'm sayin? I been hooked ever since like for real. My grades goin down bruh bruh. I used to get b's and c's and now im failin math. man dis a problem rite here man. houston we gots a problem! help me like real talk man my grades more important than anything else bruh bruh help me out my brothas i appreciate all yall
  • Pieman
    2011-04-25 4:33 am Permalink
  • The scope being evaluated is to large and generalized. (cont.)
    Games should be evaluated on a case by case basis and not be generalized and the individuals reason for liking the games should be taken into consideration. I, for example, play mainly multi-player games for a mental challenge and I love to get into the other player's head. As with everything games should be taken in moderation but addiction to it is mostly more of a personality flaw than the fault of the games. (there are exceptions to this)
  • Pieman
    2011-04-25 4:22 am Permalink
  • The scope being evaluated is to large and generalized.
    Rather than focusing on gaming as a whole, there are specific games that cause the issue with simple bad game development and lack of innovation. Addictive games are ridiculously repetitive and reward the player for doing absolutely nothing special. Games such as the Call of Duty franchise lead people to play games mindlessly and rewarding them for stupidity. (look up achievements that are available to players)
  • Coda
    2011-04-14 5:39 pm Permalink
  • Is video game addiction real?
    Addictions aren't real it is just a word to explain why people overly like things.
  • Coda
    2011-04-14 5:36 pm Permalink
  • Pathetic
    I'm an 17 year old an I play games quite often. But having an addiction for games doesn't ruin your life, or make you miss out on a lot of activities. I am very socially active, and do many other things in a day. But I still end my day playing video games. Does that mean it is bad? NO. It is a way to take away stress from everyday life. With people like you saying junk against games ruins sales for games.
  • A.J.
    2011-04-07 6:22 pm Permalink
  • Addiction
    I agree with matt. games are just another way of expression. Some call it addiction. others expression. it's like painting or dancing. On top of that, video games can enhance some senses and mind power. It allows us to think of different solutions that may work to progress through the games. in a way, it's kind of like life. that's how i see it. y'all are free to determine what it is.
  • Darshil
    2011-04-05 4:23 pm Permalink
  • additcion
    I am addicted to gaming.........i spend 5 hrs a day gaming..well but wen u need to work u hav to...........its not a addiction its failuare of self control
  • Matt
    2011-03-31 1:05 pm Permalink
  • Addiction
    My games are just a way for me to get away from the world around me. It is like a realese where i can be myself online and not worry about what people's reactions are. Thats not addiction, is it?
  • z dude
    2011-03-31 1:03 pm Permalink
  • addiction to games
    The only addicting part of a video game is that you want to progress. Games don't hurt kids att all if you know what their playing.
  • Mark
    2011-03-21 2:40 pm Permalink
  • Video game addiction and how bad it is
    Here is a link to several videos that all parents should watch weither their children are addicted or not: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wlmj0 Even when your children arn't addicts or even into games; it's a good idea to get a look at what it can do and what it has already done to millions of others.
  • savali
    2011-03-19 5:54 am Permalink
  • addiction to games
    I play games a lot and I'm not "addicted"..I have a good social life etc etc so games don't ruin your life..well for some people. Anyway..I say if u do play games a lot and neglect important tasks try to find constructive things..wich I knw is extremely hard cause everything els is boring rofl..but try biking oe martial arts..it worked for me..even though I wasn't addicted but still its always good to try new thing yknw^^..
  • night shadow
    2011-03-14 9:14 pm Permalink
  • wow thts a lot
    ppl should really open there eyes and seriously parents should see wat there children play i know a kid tht hides video games from his parents because there too violont seriously ppl watch on wat kids play
  • G. McGowan
    2011-03-11 5:48 pm Permalink
  • Video Game Addiction
    You know the whole concept of video games is threatening to most parents who are concerned with the time their kids spend in front of their computer screens. I'm one of them, but once that game machine or game is loaded on the computer and you don't set up and enforce your rules, then the fight becomes a whole lot harder. Like many things early intervention is so important. Just my thoughts on this. GM
  • eb
    2011-03-10 7:38 pm Permalink
  • WoW
    i no rite like vidio games are so weird i dont understand how people spend so much time on games
  • Bob
    2011-03-09 5:52 pm Permalink
  • Game addiction
    It is not the game that is addicting it is the adrenaline or excitment in the video game that gets people addicted to the game. If there was no adrenaline or exitement in the game the game would never be addicting.
  • Bob
    2011-03-09 5:45 pm Permalink
  • Games addictive
    What if you are a adult and is addictive to games how do i stop?