Video games not so addictive after all
Over the holidays, when Auntie Mabel starts railing at you for your inability to put down that "Nintendorn GameWii thing," you can happily tell her (or whomever) that it's perfectly okay -- you're not addicted to gaming. After a lot of fuss over long hours of gaming, a rehab center in Amsterdam that began a treatment program for video game addiction a few years ago. Now, however, those same individuals who began the program no longer think that gaming is the issue. Instead, the root of the problem lies elsewhere. Keith Bakker, the clinic's founder, says that "ninety percent" of the kids they're treating are not addicted to gaming, though the symptoms are sometimes similar to people in the throes of substance addiction. But now that they've worked with so many patients, Bakker believes the root of the problem lies with parents, and with schools, for not noticing the feelings of isolation and social frustration that can often lead young gamers to escape for hours each day with their consoles.
This is interesting to us, of course, as gamers, because it reinforces the same things many in the community have said when games are linked to various crimes. Now, if only we can take games completely out of the equation -- because they're just a convenient tool for escape, after all, and now even science knows they're not the cause -- maybe we can start to help kids who are struggling to find ways to fit in.
[Via Terra Nova]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matias @ Nov 26th 2008 6:50PM
It's not an addiction!! It's a hobbie!!
I remember saying that so many times >_>, science is on my side now.
Jasin Howe @ Nov 26th 2008 7:12PM
I really like the last paragraph.
The politicians, parent groups, media, etc. need to stop the grandstanding and work to solving the issues. That won't happen because it is easy to stand infront of a camera holding up GTA and cursing it as the devil's work but it is hard to identify and help kids at risk.
Ceryk @ Nov 26th 2008 8:35PM
I've never bought into the whole video games are addictive thing. While I believe there are some people who are truely addicted, it's not the games that are causing it. It's called an addictive personality. People like that can become addicted to anything. Like that woman who's baby died because she wouldn't stop playing Everquest. Or those Korean people who died in cybercafes because they wouldn't sleep or get up and go to the restroom. That is addiction. And that doesn't happen as much as the people who go spouting off about video game addiction think.
milan @ Nov 27th 2008 5:37AM
Nah, I don't buy this story at all, I am totally addicted to my Wii and DS.
Gastrodon @ Nov 27th 2008 12:37PM
Ugh. Are model planes addictive? Is rock-collecting addictive? Is hunting addictive? It's a hobby, people! We game for FUN. THAT'S what the media fails to realize.
Agh, people need to open their minds. Particularly parents, if I might add.
Matt @ Nov 28th 2008 12:13PM
Is that Steven Tyler or whoever in that picture?
Tricia @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:02PM
Fine. For many it may be a hobby or an escape but we still need programs for those who are actually addicted. The only program now that they can enter is the gambler's anonymous program. I don't feel that is a good option as it may just introduce them to an even more addictive and damaging game.