Video Game Addiction - Disease or Disorder?
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5 years ago in #gaming by abitcoinskeptic (73)
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I think that, yes... like many things taken in excess, gaming can be an addiction or a disorder... however, there is a touch of mad hype about it that has clouded the public interpretation of actual studies (where parents/media take the results of a single study and run with their fears/narrative... but hey, this happens with lots of science, so why not here!). It has also been used as a smokescreen or an excuse for other things which are not rooted in gaming...
To make an analogy, drinking is terrible when taken to extreme... however, having a glass of wine with dinner each night is not a reason to run around with our arms in in the air (well, maybe if it was children doing that...). I see way too many anecdotes of "my kid has gaming disorder".... when it clearly isn't that!
... but again, to clarify... of course, in extreme, it is a disorder... but just like being gluten intolerant... not everyone has it!
I agree people over react. The violent or mature video games are the best example. Just play something else.
Regarding addiction people over react thats why I recommend they take an honest look at those 9 signs and a look around thatbsite if they are concerned.
The industry under reacting and lobbying against change is more concerning than over reacting imo. I doubt any government is gonna ban fun (well maybe centralized-socialist ones).
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Video game addiction is just that, an addiction. It's not a disease nor a disorder. You can get addicted to literally anything. It baffles me that WHO treats it like a disease/disorder.
I understand your point. Semantics and definitions are facinating topics for linguists and grammarians alike.
Whether it is called a disease a disorder a mental illness or just an addiction won't change a thing.
There isn't enough funding for research when compared to the amount of funding for game development.
The WHO wants governments to take it more seriously.
Medical professionals studying addiction are simply concerned with diagnosis treatment and research. It ain't cheap and lives are incressingly at risk.
Poverty exists and so does famine. I often hear this being called a disease of society. Should I start an argument over the terminology or treat the problem.
Should I ignore gaming addiction because crackheads and cancer patients have a bigger problem?
You can get addicted to stacking cups. Its a real thing btw but I've never met a person with that problem. So should I crusade for that first?
Personally I think such arguments are distracting when the entire point is to get more recognition for something that is becoming an increasingly greater concern.
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I'm not saying that that gaming addiction is not a problem right now or no action should be taken. But before we call it disorder or disease, we need to know for sure before we do that.
Calling something more than they actually are causes overreaction. Overreaction goes both ways, in favor of it and against it. If the goal is to raise funds for further research, presenting the current findings in honest and straightforward ways will go a long way. Overstating things gives excuse to undermine them.
This happens a lot especially in current years. There are people calling other people "sexist", racist", "nazi", etc. just because they disagree with them even when the conversation doesn't involve sex, race, or the political party. This is extremely harmful to actual victims of sexism, racism, or the political party because those words are so casually thrown around that when they are used properly the victims are not taken as seriously as they should be.
I agree that actions need to be taken. But more research should be conducted before calling it something it may or may not be. Using proper words to describe something is better to gain more sustainable recognition than fear mongering and overstatement.
By the way while we are at it. If we are going to hope the gaming industry especially AAA publishers going to do anything to help more research on video game addiction, forget it. They WILL try to undermine it and lobby against change. They literally hire psychologists to psychologically manipulate players into addiction to their "live service" games. Messed up stuff.
#sbi-skip
Can you give me an example of overreaction to video game bans, other than someone's opinion? I've heard of the odd parent who won't let their children play games. I've only seen over-reaction to gaming violence or to a lack of 'positive female roles', but mostly warning were just slapped onto the games, or it was left up to the industry itself.
I do agree the gaming industry won't do a damn thing if left to themselves. I mean the odd company may give it a try, but most of the successful ones are interested in making things profitable and fun.
There is a fine line between addiction and fun. As the games get better and better, it will become a bigger problem.
These are pretty recent.
https://www.pcgamesn.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds/pubg-banned-india
https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/14/18265945/college-students-arrested-pubg-india-ban-police
Well, games do get better and better production value over time but I wonder if it actually becoming more fun. It is becoming more addictive due to devs incorporating psychological tricks on games. That's not the fault of the medium, is it?
#sbi-skip
That is interesting. It seems they are banning PUBG mainly because of violence but also because of addiction. Since it is only a single game, I would like to think it's mainly because they have a problem with that game specifically and not addiction in general.
I don't live in India, so it doesn't affect me. I also guess since that game was made in Korea and not India, they are acting like the Chinese on the matter and mostly upset that they aren't making much money on the game. Me thinks there is a nationalist and not globalist agenda here.
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Well written and thoughtful piece on Gaming addiction. It's absolutely a growing problem. As games get better more and more people will become disconnected with reality. It truly is a waste of life, some gamers look a lot like crackheads just sitting there lost in their own little world.
I like games, have played a lot of strategy games and even enjoy gambling but never to the point where it significantly impacts my life. The money aspect isn't a problem as long as you aren't spending more than your budget. Some games can be social and educational too. There is a lot of positives. I can't wait for better augmented reality games, especially ones with a fitness aspect to them.
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If I assualt your virtual character is it assault? I recently read a case where someome uploaded a mod to rape people's avatars in game and proceeded to rape some children's avatars. Obviously his account was banned, but given the attachment to one's online character is it beyond 'altering the code'?
Watching people play VR games is quite interesting. I actually spent some time at gstar doing just that. They look like absolute fools when I can't see what they think theybare doing. As laughable as a hampster in its wheel or a dog chasing its tail.
There are so many ethical questions and Now with in game currency being worth moneyband cryptocurrencies, these accounts have serious financial value, too.
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Wow! this was an amazing read and yes! I do believe that there are more people addicted (or again perhaps using the wrong word) but spending too much time on a device or gaming.
I didn't let my kids slide into the babysitting mode of parenting by letting them be on devices or games for hours on end. Childhood and friends come but once through and I would rather they spend that time making human interaction than with a game.
Life without people? That is what many would rather have. A day gaming instead of true interactions with people?
No thanks.
Great write and you bring up so many interesting points! Thank you!
I think it is important to distinguish between spending too much time and being an addict. Lot's of people spend too much time. It doesn't mean they can't control it. It just means they prioritize it. You can always give them the quiz to see if they are an addict. If they start lying about the answers or refuse, better tread carefully and seek advice on how to help them. Someone who just plays too much will likely rationalize with you and may even be up for a better suggestion or make time to do something else if it interests them.
It is a reality substitute. It will mess up with your dopamine reward system, see all the theory behind game "achievement" systems.
I would not seriously call a game "out of reality" though, it is a real experience to the user, but dangerously brings rewards for actions that in the "real world" would take larger amounts of time.
The main problem with messing with your dopamine reward circuitry, is that you end up craving for the anticipation rather than the results.
I've read a lot about how to deal with people who probably have gaming addiction. You can't tell them it's not real, especially the people hooked on a single game whichbis often the case for severe addicts. It simply isn't the only reality.
The reward system is designed to get people hooked. If you know what to look for certain types of games are a lot worse than others. The games without it appear pointless at first glance.
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It totally depends upon us...how we handle it... and playing it is not a sickness...actually if anyone plays all the day long...then it is a serious problem...so the game takes time...play when you are actually free for more than one hour or more...then it won't be any problem...
I don't think there is anything wrong with playing a videogame. I also don't think developing a gaming habit is a sickness or an addiction.
However I do think addiction is a type of sickness. People can get seriously addicted to videogames. It is rare but it does happen. I am sure if you spend a lot of time playing online games or watching you will have heard of someone who has a problem with their habit.
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Kids are entering a computer world from birth and I see them becoming addicted before my eyes from three or four years old. it will change the face of society. Gaming is a huge culture and industry so can't be ignored for better or worse.
I do notice that they are appealing to younger and younger people. Also a lot more girls these days. The type of addict will change accordingly. However the stereotype stays as the under 30 years old male. Treatments and risk profiles will change too.
I recently read about a 9 year old girl who wet her pants because she didn't want stop playing for a few minutes to relieve herself properly (you can't pause fortnight). She physically attacked her parents when they tried to help her. I'm not saying an adult won't do that but imagine being those parents?
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This issue about the game addiction, it has destroyed many life's, many careers, many homes and business. I believe it is a disorder because game addiction always affect the brain, reduce the thinking mentality of that person thereby putting that person memories into danger.
Actually what else can he offered to the game addict than to try to make them to understand about the danger behind it and what it is capable of causing apart from the fun they seen in it.
It is definitely an issue. I don't think being a hardcore gamer is good news for anyone.
lt is a plague, i guess too. avoid it.
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Haha, fact.
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Video games are just an easy target for alarmist and detractors. Addiction isn't relegated to gaming its anything that affects your family, work and health.
The whole violence in video games was a really good example of alarmist overreaction. But I will have to disagree on the addiction thing. Spending too much time on a single hobby or activity is one thing, but not really a problem in itself. However, I don't think anyone here is pretending addiction is only related to gaming. I'm sure those treating gaming addiction are away of this too. They probably bring in their expertise from other types of addiction. I also think there are more dangerous things to get addicted to. No one is out in the back alley prostituting themselves for a little bit of Fortnite, or breaking into houses and robbing people for it either (correct me if I'm wrong). It doesn't mean we should ignore it. As soon as people need healthcare they have a right to receive it in most countries.