There are so many people that are battling video game addiction (read article: “Video Game Addiction NO Fun”).
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."
A structured and discipline environment like martial arts offers, CAN help with video game addictions.
If you ever wonder about the symptoms of computer game addiction, here are the red flags based on my stories…
If you can’t concentrate or lack focus doing anything when not playing the video game. If you don’t play just for a day your mind can’t think straight and the sound to play just ringing in the head.
You play not because you enjoyed it, but you need it, you depend on it. Sure for the first or three hours you still enjoy playing it, but many hours later you probably has diminish the fun factor and play just for the sake of it.
You play to run away from real life problems. Many people when nervous or have troubles with their life go to the place where they can feel safe like foods, alcohol or smoking and this applies for games too. Game can temporarily make you feel safe and doesn’t have any problem at all.
There is a feeling of guilt every time you play the video game. Playing too much video games can make you feel guilty for some reason. I believe the reason for this is that deep down, you know you played too much video games.
Loss of control. How many times have you said to yourself “okay this is the last game” or “I’m gonna stop playing after an hour”, but you end up playing a lot more games or a lot more hours than what you promised yourself?
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This blog is part of Peter Liciaga's effort to promote the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program ( http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com/ ), which is an undertaking of The 100. (http://www.the100.us/ ), and a part of Peter Liciaga's Dream 100 Project.
According to recent research by Ofcom, 37% of adults and 60% of teens admit to being ‘highly addicted’ to their smartphones, with users checking their smartphones on average, 34 times a day. Additionally, 51% of adults and 65% of teens use their smartphones while socializing with others, and 22% and 47% respectively, confess to answering their smartphones even while on the toilet.
ReplyDeleteSo the International 'Moodoff Day’ is encouraging people around the world to avoid using smartphones for a few hours on February 26. The organization is urging adults and teenagers to spend from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. that day without using their smartphone. This events will celebrate each year on last Sunday of February.
if you feel you could benefit from a morning without smartphones and mobile devices and want to encourage others to follow suit, go to www.MoodOffDay.org and pledge your support. You can even post your personal experiences of smartphone addiction or upload funny images showing smartphone addicts in action at www.facebook.com/MoodOffDay .
Moodoff Day is aiming to raise awareness of smart phone addiction and to minimise the impact on relationships, work/life balance, reduce risk of injury in traffic and improve quality of life.