Recent Posts
Feeding The Beast
May 10, 2012
Oops!
May 3, 2012
What If This Present Were The World's Last Night?
April 26, 2012
Are Video Games Addictive
Posted by: Dr. Drew Edwards
Tags:
addiction, playstation, video games, wii, xbox
Posted date:
July 9, 2009 |
No comment
Cyber drugs for boys: Online video gaming, video games
Poor grades, lying, mood swings, staying up all night, and conflicts with parents. At first glance it sounds like addiction to drugs or alcohol. In truth it’s a description of a 15-year-old who has become addicted to playing an online video game. To be more specific, addicted to a massive, multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO). Popular titles in this fantasy game genre include EverQuest, and World of Warcraft. With game consoles like Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and others which can access the internet, the MMO world is truly, massive.
Not long ago most professionals, myself included, scoffed at the idea that one could become addicted to video games. I was wrong. Teenage boys are particularly vulnerable to the genre of violent, frequently sexual, online role-playing games. The prevalence of video game addiction is unclear. A 2007 British study polled 7,000 “online gamers” and found that 12 percent met the World Health Organization criteria for addiction. My sense is that the number of teens in trouble with online gaming is increasing rapidly.
Unlike more traditional video games, multiplayer online games involve an unlimited number of players who form clans and guilds as part of the gaming strategy. In these games, the more time players spend online, the more they are rewarded and the faster they advance. Conversely, when a player is not actively participating in a game he falls behind other players. In EverQuest, for example, there are “cyber traps,” that require a player to spend 100 hours sitting in single locations in order to kill hundreds and sometimes thousands of cyber enemies to advance to the next level. To catch up, young players often binge all night or spend an entire weekend online. And here is the kicker— the game never actually ends.
What’s also a little creepy about these games is the role-playing component. Players are required to assume mythical, pseudo identities which allow them to reinvent who they are and project their pseudo personality online. As a result, bizarre, fantasy friendships and alliances with other online gamers are formed, and like real world relationships, influence how they see and value themselves. The interactive and social aspects of the game provide a sense of belonging and acceptance that many boys struggle to attain in the real world.
What are the symptoms of online gaming problems? The main indicator is that the teenager is spending the majority of non-structured time online. Other signs include:
- Mental preoccupation with the game.
- Repeated online binges lasting five hours or more.
- Isolation from friends, parents and family activities.
- Dropping grades.
- Sleep problems, falling asleep in school.
- Lying about computer or video game use.
- Choosing to play video games rather than being with friends.
- Dropping out of social groups, activities or sports.
- Increasingly irritable when not playing a video game.
- Mood swings including depression and persistent negative attitude
- Conflicts with parents regarding chores, responsibilities, and time on the computer
The content and themes of multiplayer online role-playing games are extremely violent, sometimes sexual, or both. The impact of this violence and potential for addiction varies among users and is dependent on numerous and largely unknown factors. However, the potential damage to the psyche of preteen and teenage boys is worrisome because these games provoke strong emotional reactions and clearly desensitizes their perception and response to violence.
Teenage boys crave action, excitement and adventure. They can’t help it—it’s how they are wired. At the same time they crave acceptance and to be emotionally connected with others in meaningful ways. In the absence of healthier alternatives they will not hesitate to gratify these needs in the dark corners of cyberspace. It’s up to parents to step in, take charge, and rescue their sons.
Dr. Drew Edwards | All rights reserved
Share This
About the author
Dr. Drew Edwards
Dr. Drew Edwards is a behavioral health researcher, author, counselor, and the youth culture expert and consultant for the nationally syndicated reality television programs Ultimate Choice, and Real Girls-Real Life. In 2006 he founded ENNOBLE, Inc., a non profit educational foundation created to rescue teens and empower parents through the creative expression of Christian principles. His website, www.drdrewedwards.org, is a product of that mission. He has been working with families for twenty years. Dr. Drew was formerly Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of psychiatry and health behavior at the Medical College of Georgia. Previously he served as Associate Director of Psychiatry at the University of Florida. His appointment included program development, clinical practice and clinical instruction for psychiatric residents and postdoctoral fellows in the division of addiction medicine. Dr. Drew has published numerous peer reviewed and popular articles on parenting, behavioral health, addictions, depression/chronic illness and youth culture, as well handbooks for parents on childhood depression and self-esteem in children. He speaks at conferences and presents seminars throughout the United States on parenting, youth culture, teen sex, pornography, addictive disease and eating disorders. He also provides weekly parenting advice on 88.1 FM, The Promise, in Jacksonville and northeast Florida. He joined the staff of the PAYH in 2008.
Dr. Drew Edwards is a behavioral health researcher, author, counselor, and the youth culture expert and consultant for the nationally syndicated reality television programs Ultimate Choice, and Real Girls-Real Life. In 2006 he founded ENNOBLE, Inc., a non profit educational foundation created to rescue teens and empower parents through the creative expression of Christian principles. His website, www.drdrewedwards.org, is a product of that mission. He has been working with families for twenty years. Dr. Drew was formerly Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of psychiatry and health behavior at the Medical College of Georgia. Previously he served as Associate Director of Psychiatry at the University of Florida. His appointment included program development, clinical practice and clinical instruction for psychiatric residents and postdoctoral fellows in the division of addiction medicine. Dr. Drew has published numerous peer reviewed and popular articles on parenting, behavioral health, addictions, depression/chronic illness and youth culture, as well handbooks for parents on childhood depression and self-esteem in children. He speaks at conferences and presents seminars throughout the United States on parenting, youth culture, teen sex, pornography, addictive disease and eating disorders. He also provides weekly parenting advice on 88.1 FM, The Promise, in Jacksonville and northeast Florida. He joined the staff of the PAYH in 2008.
Related Posts
You must be logged in to post a comment.