What can we do to battle video game addiction?

Question

It's been like an epidemic for years--ever since the invention of the coin-operated arcade game.

With the advent of home-console systems like the NES, the SNES, the Neo-Geo, the Playstation, the PS2, the Wii, the PS3, and even the smaller hand-helds--video game addiction has become a problematic effigy for society.

It's impact has especially been felt in the on-line gaming communities; whereas whole, productive people have been turned into mindless drones and robots.

While myself, I am by no means prone to video game addiction--as I have 3 game consoles (SNES, Playstation, and the PS2), and a Gameboy Advance--I've managed to tame my demons by not playing as much offline and online.

As a writer, I am more focused on my writing than my gaming. But I am also a social person by design--and I get out often; taking walks, exercising, and knowing when and where my limits are.

Unfortunately, there are those out there who are not like me.

There are people out there who *suffer* from addiction--and their personal and professional lives are severely impacted because of it.

And while it may seem sensible to take *away* their source of addiction, it doesn't stop the problem overall.

So what can we DO to help combat this problem successfully--and in a constructive and positive way?

Answer 1

People shouldn't start their kids out on it so early. My wife and I have been irritated with our son's preschool because it has a X-Box there for the kids to play, even though they are four and five. When I was little, my parents finally relented and bought me a Nintendo when I was nine, but I had to do chores to be able to play it, and even then my time was limited. I think parents are doing the same thing with video games they did with TV, just abandoning their children with the device so they can do other "adult" things. They need to plan more family activities, and build positive memories centered around doing things.

Answer 2

Video games become an addiction when they are used to fill a void in someone's life - there are only two solutions...

1) Get them "addicted" to something more social - such as working out at the gym, team sports, etc.

2) Find out whatever is "missing" in their lives, and find a solution to THAT problem.

Answer 3

1. According to recent addiction experts Gaming is not an addiction.

2. Have a friend (real life) keep you from playing too much.

Answer 4

They should take all of the home video game systems and destroy them.