Computer Game Addiction

K0r/\/f1@k€$ · Post by **K0r/\/f1@k€$** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 3:46 pm

This is a subject that a lot of fuss has been made of recently, particularly with the mother in America claiming her son's suicide was caused by an addiction to Everquest, and with computer games getting more realistic and more involving all the time, its true that sometimes I just go on too long (although diablo 2 has been consigned to the Recycle Bin of history as far as I'm concerned

) and sometimes it affects my work slightly. But those occasions are rare.

This article seems to me to completely overdramatize the issue, by saying that there is something pyschologically wrong with people who enjoy these games. If you class them as abnormal, then that's a rather alarming percentage (how many people play Everquest regularly, not even considering DAoC, Diablo 2, Ultima Online etc).

Essentially what I'm asking here is do you think computer games can be classed on a similar level to drugs, as the above article suggests, and is the social abnormality discussed any different from a bunch of yobs getting pissed and smashing a few shop windows (although a little quieter).

Aragorn Returns · Post by **Aragorn Returns** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 3:53 pm

i think it's only as serious as the article makes it out to be for really kind of already messed up people, but i have to admit, i am sort of addicted to computer games, often times i just don't do homework or chores just because i want to play GTA2 or BG, but really, sometimes i don't do hw because i'd rather sit there and drool on myself.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 4:07 pm

I think it is overdramatising... I mean come on, "Angie said her live-in boyfriend spends at least 30 hours a week playing "EverQuest" as a female elf--a character choice she finds "weird and disturbing"--"

Most people can play these games without being mentally deranged. This article offers an interesting perspective...

I called Dr Mark Griffiths, reader in psychology at Nottingham Trent University, who has conducted several studies in this field.

His opinion, however, was that only youngsters were at significant risk: "Once your development is complete, adverse effects are less likely." Games were, he said, safe in moderation. Aha. What about immoderate play? Could I possibly be addicted?

"There are six components to addiction," said Griffiths. "Whether it's salient (the most important thing in your life); whether it reliably modifies your mood; whether you build up tolerance (enjoy it less); whether you get withdrawal symptoms; whether it conflicts with other life factors; and whether you relapse (ie, your CD-Rom breaks down but you get it repaired in record time)."

Well, yes, all of those had probably applied at some point. Yet Griffiths seemed unwilling to diagnose the dysfunction I was seeking, basically because I was compos mentis enough to have held down my job and engage him in vaguely intelligent conversation - vaguely intelligent conversation about computer games, mind you.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 4:11 pm

Did you also know that the guys mother is suing herself aswell? She blames herself for allowing him to do it...

Now who's the crazy one...

Aragorn Returns · Post by **Aragorn Returns** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 4:19 pm

hmmm, now that's just a little weird. that's worse than when the state of arkansas sued the arkansas school board, that was a weird one.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 4:53 pm

This is an old problem. More than 20 years ago, people were claiming that D&D caused permanent mental stability problems in teens. Isolated instances of indivduals who "lost it" playing D&D were dramatized in the sensationalist press, and at one point even made into a movie. Nobody bothered to ask whether the kids who go too far playing had backgrounds illustrating obsessive behavior. And nobody thought to ask what kind of parents allowed children like that free reign, and never bothered to investigate medical therapy to deal with the issue.

FWIW, I think television offers far greater reason for concern as a behavioral modifier. A survey a few years ago showed that various European nations watched anything from 1 to 2 1/2 hours per day per person (the UK was highest), while in the US that number was over 4 hours per person. If parents don't want to become their kids' friends and advisors during a critical part of their lives, they have no business searching around for other sources to blame whatever Johnny or Jane turn to, instead.

Aragorn Returns · Post by **Aragorn Returns** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 6:43 pm

4 hours per person? i rarely watch TV, although i am on the computer probably much more than 4 hours a day.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 8:09 pm

Thats a huge sum. But, like AR, I'm on the computer a lot in the day as well (not including computer courses I'm taking), but all of it is work related, or something along those lines. I think what people believe is that whena person goes on a computer at home, it is to play games. the truth of the matter is most people don't play that games that much (look at us). A lot of people actually do interesting stuff, like discovering new and interesting websites, chat with interesting people, talk with the rejects of the internet in SYM, or, like Wankerly, look up porn.

humanflyz · Post by **humanflyz** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 8:19 pm

It's ultimately up the person who is actually playing the game. I assume that most people have enough control over their lives so that they won't let a game take over their life. I believe human beings are pretty rational most of the time. However, if that person doesn't have control over himself, then people around him should prevent his addiction from growing. Like fable said, if a parent can't even control their children, they shouldn't blame an outside source for their children's problems.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 8:25 pm

Originally posted by Aragorn Returns
4 hours per person? i rarely watch TV, although i am on the computer probably much more than 4 hours a day.

Doubtful that any of us in SYM are typical, @Aragorn. Television remains enormously popular and capable of generating huge revenues. I suspect computers will chip away at that over the next couple of decades.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 10:04 pm

Originally posted by Aragorn Returns
4 hours per person? i rarely watch TV, although i am on the computer probably much more than 4 hours a day.

Same here. I watch 2 hours of TV a week, but I'm usually on the computer more than 12 hours a day.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 10:18 pm

Iw onder when people will draw the line for the sort of thing. If it is truly as bad as they say it is, why hasn't the government stepped in? Also, will this be the sort of thing that eventually becomes sensored?

Aragorn Returns · Post by **Aragorn Returns** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 11:44 pm

tell me aegis, how long have you spent on the computer today? just wondering.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Apr 14, 2002 12:16 am

I find I can't handle more than 6 or 7 hours a day on the computer. I hardly ever watch TV, unless there's a good anime on. Which happens about 5 times a year at best. That said, I do need my nightly Simpsons fix, but it's still only 1/2 an hour most days.

I've been reading a lot of books lately.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 12:57 am

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
I find I can't handle more than 6 or 7 hours a day on the computer. I hardly ever watch TV, unless there's a good anime on. Which happens about 5 times a year at best. That said, I do need my nightly Simpsons fix, but it's still only 1/2 an hour most days.

I've been reading a lot of books lately.

I read when I go places. In restaurants, when waiting for our food, I'm always reading a book while my parents are playing Pokemon on their Game Boy Colors.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 1:06 am

@ SS

Your parents play Pokemon?

As for me, I can see the TV from my PC, however I rarely tend to spend long enough time on each. If I happen to reach the two hour limit for my PC, I tend to disconnect from the internet.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Apr 14, 2002 1:06 am

Why did I get the stuffy parents?

@SS-Your parents sound much cooler than mine. My parents couldn't even turn on a Game Boy colour, much less play one.

@Tamerlane-Yeah, the internet service in Perth is a bit of a let-down, isn't it? I live in the foothills, and we get terrible internet service. I'm lucky to get a steady 5k/sec, even though my PC has a 56k modem.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 1:12 am

Re: Why did I get the stuffy parents?

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
@Tamerlane-Yeah, the internet service in Perth is a bit of a let-down, isn't it? I live in the foothills, and we get terrible internet service. I'm lucky to get a steady 5k/sec, even though my PC has a 56k modem.

Broadband is the answer my friend, however at the moment. Telstra seems to be acting liking Microsoft with those pathetic download limits.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 1:15 am

Re: Why did I get the stuffy parents?

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
@SS-Your parents sound much cooler than mine. My parents couldn't even turn on a Game Boy colour, much less play one.

@Tamerlane-Yeah, the internet service in Perth is a bit of a let-down, isn't it? I live in the foothills, and we get terrible internet service. I'm lucky to get a steady 5k/sec, even though my PC has a 56k modem.

Yeah, my 'rents are pretty cool. They both have their own GBCs. They both have Pokemon Pinball, plus my mom has Pokemon Silver and Pokemon TCG GB, as well as several other games. She also has her own N64. My dad is "borrowing" my SNES, but he won't give it back. They also spend all day every day watching TV.

I always laugh when I read things complaining about kids watching too much TV and all the bad influences from it. My 'rents spend a whole lot more time watching TV and playing video games than I do. It reminds me of an episode of Sliders in which the bartender said "That's the problem with you kids today. You read too damn much and don't watch enough TV."

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 1:24 am

Re: Why did I get the stuffy parents?

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
I'm lucky to get a steady 5k/sec, even though my PC has a 56k modem.

I've got 56k modem, but only 36k/s connection through MSN. No cable where I live and DSL costs minimum $50 a month and we can't afford that.