Video Game Addiction

Video Game Addiction
photo by: Mngilen
By David Walsh
Video Game Special Edition Contributor

"Video games are ruining my life. If I’m not playing, I’m thinking about playing. I have, like, no real friends."

These are the words of a high school student addicted to the online computer game, World of Warcraft.  The average World of Warcraft player plays twenty hours a week.  That’s the average!

"His grades are down the tubes, he skips meals, and he hardly spends any time with his friends."

These are the words of a parent who recently phoned me desperate for help.  I asked her to estimate how many hours a week her son spent playing games.  "Forty-three," she immediately replied.  "I kept track last week."

Millions of children love video games, especially boys.  Our national survey revealed that 92% of children age 2-17 play regularly.  That translates into 59 million young players.  The overwhelming majority of these children play their video games, do their homework, keep up their responsibilities, and have other interests.  No problem.  So please do not get me wrong—I am not saying that video and computer games are bad for children.  I think games like Myst and Sim are great. In fact, having exposure to these types of games may be less harmful and more beneficial than exposure to other forms of screen media.

Computer game addiction is real and growing.  No one knows how many kids are obsessed, but I know the toll is mounting.

How will a parent know if his/her son or daughter is headed for trouble?

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