Games Addiction in Context Have fun and keep safe.

Is Computer Game addiction a problem? We take a responsible look.

 

The Positive Viewpoint

“Computer Gaming” is a generic term applicable to any gaming played on computers.  It is best to realise at the outset that there is a distinction to be drawn between “Online Gaming” and “Video Gaming”. “Online Gaming” frequently involves “MMORPGs” – Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games – where you log in to a virtual arena and join a large contest involving several others, perhaps running to hundreds at a time. Video Gaming is usually played in private at home, perhaps on your own or maybe with family or friends on a totally local basis, playing video games bought from your local video games retailer or on eBay or perhaps downloaded or swapped with your friends. A great many of you will have played a Video Game at some time in your life but several will not yet have experienced MMORPGs. Research tends to show that it is the MMORPGs with their wider social contact that lead to more damaging instances of addiction; but not always!

There’s some good news: quoted by BBC News, Keith Bakker, founder and principal of Europe’s first clinic to treat gaming addicts, reckons that 90 per cent of young people seeking treatment for compulsive computer gaming are not in fact addicted.

The Smith & Jones Centre in Amsterdam has treated hundreds of young gamers from all over the world since the clinic opened in 2006; but the clinic is changing its treatment as it realizes that compulsive gaming is a social rather than a psychological problem.

The American Psychological Association in 2007, conducted research to determine if computer video game addiction should be added or not to the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders being released in 2012. Gamers will be happy to hear their conclusion was that there was not enough evidence to confirm that addiction to computer video games was a disorder.

This concise article is one of three on Computer Gaming Addiction. Submitted by a site dedicated to computer video and online gaming with the purpose of presenting a balanced and proportionate view of this important topic.