How can we prevent and/or treat video game addiction?

Question

many people (mostly young men and teens) are addicted to video games. this is a serious issue and affects the addicts' health, jobs, relationships and school work. How can we prevent and treat this serious issue?

Answer 1

This is not an addiction, its a choice. That word has been thrown around extremely to much. It is used as an excuse. There is absolutely no addiction to video games, although it may seem that some ppl are. I for one LOVE playing video games and I will stay up all night and day playing games. It however, does not effect my work, relationship, or social life. If it did I could do something about it, just like ANYONE who you say has an "addiction" can do. Anyone can just stop playing, its not hard and it is very very possible. If they let themselves get so bad that it is affecting their life in a negative manner then they themselves should have the self control to stop letting it interrupt their life, if they do not have the self control then the hell with them thats their own problem. If someone isnt responsible enough to put their life in front of a video game then thats not someone I would waste helping.

Alot of kids, however, do not know better, and this is not the kids fault it is simply the parents fault. I know my dad used to MAKE me go outside all freakin day on any warm day and make me socialize and find things to do. He wouldnt allow me to waste my life on nintendo when I could be out playing baseball/basketball/football anything of that sort. Dont punish the kids b/c their parents dont know what their doing. Parents need to learn how to control their kids anyways (without drugging them b/c over half of the time that is unnecessary). Its not hard, you are the freakin parent they do as YOU say, not what they want.