Gaming Addiction Debunked

Games Addiction in Context Recognize the risks and be safe.

A responsible look at Computer Games addiction.

The Positive Viewpoint

The generic term “Computer Gaming” covers all types of games 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” can be likened to competing in a virtual arena, involving several, possibly hundreds of competitors, most of whom will often be total strangers.  Such games are referred to as MMORPGs – Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games. Video Gaming is usually played in private at home, perhaps on your own or maybe with family or friends on a totally local basis, with games on your own computer which you probably purchased by downloading, bought in a box from your local Video Games retailer or on eBay or even swapped with your friends. Video Games have been around since the late 1960s and people of all generations will have played one at some time but perhaps not so MMORPGs. MMORPGs and their wider social involvement tend to be the games more likely to lead to damaging addictions; but not necessarily!

Keith Bakker, founder and chief of Europe’s first clinic to treat gaming addicts is of the opinion that ninety percent of young people looking for treatment are not in fact addicts at all, according to BBC News.

The Smith & Jones Centre in Amsterdam has treated hundreds of young gamers from all over the world since the clinic opened in 2006; but has changed its treatment methods since realizing that compulsive computer gaming is not a psychological illness but a social one.

Research was carried out in 2007 by The American Psychological Association to find out if computer video game addiction should be recognized as a disorder for inclusion in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders due for publication in 2012.  They concluded that there was insufficient evidence to show that video game addiction is a disorder.

This concise article is one of three on Computer Gaming Addiction. The articles have been researched and written by a site dedicated to Video and Online Gaming and endeavour to put a sensible perspective on this important issue.