Gaming Addiction
With obesity rates skyrocketing and being associated with children more than ever, it is important to also look at other ways that are limiting the growth of our next generation.
Gaming addiction may seem harmless but in reality, it can cause many symptoms such as anxiety, loss of social skills, loss of interests, etc. In many children, they are consuming much of their time and energy into the gaming world.
According to Hussain (2009), 41% of people who play online games admitted that they play computer games as an escape from the real world.
WebMD Keith Bakers says video game addiction can ruin lives. Children who play four to five hours per day have no time for socializing, doing homework, or playing sports, he says. "That takes away from normal social development. You can get a 21-year-old with the emotional intelligence of a 12-year-old. He's never learned to talk to girls. He's never learned to play a sport."
Just like the fast food chain, the gaming industry is booming in revenue as they are predicted to make $138 billion by the end of 2018 according to CNBC. CNBC also adds that video games are cheaper to consume than cable television or going to the movies, making it more attainable for younger adults.
We must inform those who spend relentless times of their days on these gaming platforms how much time is being thrown away and how they are not able to improve their well being just for entertainment. Do you think gaming should be a big concern in young adults and their well being?
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun#1
http://www.techaddiction.ca/video-game-addiction.html
http://www.techaddiction.ca/video_game_addiction_statistics.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11469-009-9202-8
https://www.marketingcharts.com/cross-media-and-traditional/videogames-traditional-and-cross-channel-105597
Gaming addiction may seem harmless but in reality, it can cause many symptoms such as anxiety, loss of social skills, loss of interests, etc. In many children, they are consuming much of their time and energy into the gaming world.
According to Hussain (2009), 41% of people who play online games admitted that they play computer games as an escape from the real world.
WebMD Keith Bakers says video game addiction can ruin lives. Children who play four to five hours per day have no time for socializing, doing homework, or playing sports, he says. "That takes away from normal social development. You can get a 21-year-old with the emotional intelligence of a 12-year-old. He's never learned to talk to girls. He's never learned to play a sport."
Just like the fast food chain, the gaming industry is booming in revenue as they are predicted to make $138 billion by the end of 2018 according to CNBC. CNBC also adds that video games are cheaper to consume than cable television or going to the movies, making it more attainable for younger adults.
We must inform those who spend relentless times of their days on these gaming platforms how much time is being thrown away and how they are not able to improve their well being just for entertainment. Do you think gaming should be a big concern in young adults and their well being?
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun#1
http://www.techaddiction.ca/video-game-addiction.html
http://www.techaddiction.ca/video_game_addiction_statistics.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11469-009-9202-8
https://www.marketingcharts.com/cross-media-and-traditional/videogames-traditional-and-cross-channel-105597
I think that video games suffer the same problem of providing too much stimulation as something like a drug or pastime can offer. When something is that fun and that engaging, it is understandable why some kids can't stop and don't want to stop. However, all of that time spent on one's short term happiness is time not being spent to better yourself in the longterm. In economic speak, the opportunity cost of video games is all of the things you could be doing instead of video games.
ReplyDeleteGaming is a relatively big concern, as video game companies release new technology and addicting games for adolescents. This will cause them to be more addicted and lose social skills, as the post states. However, the gaming industry has a considerable impact on the US economy; in 2009, the industry contributed 5 billion dollars and created more job opportunities. As entertainment companies grow, more teenagers will consume and therefore benefit the economy. I think it is interesting to see that while the video game industry helps to stimulate the economy, it also has a negative social impact. If companies created games that actually boosts social development, then it might not be as big of a concern.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theesa.com/article/video-game-industry-adds-billions-u-s-economy/
I think that gaming addiction goes hand in hand with the general social media and screen addictions we see and sometimes fall to ourselves in our daily lives. One of the biggest things I find to be ironic is the heavy emphasis on reduced amounts of screen time, yet for us and even those younger than us, the majority of our classwork and homework in on some sort of screen. Perhaps we could reduce screen time by potentially having our work on paper, however this would certainly reduce efficiency and kill more trees. I think it's also important to note that the gaming addiction our generation has succumbed to has also increased obesity rates as young adults would rather play games than go outside and do physical activity.
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ReplyDeleteThere are many today that bring concern to the negative effects of not only video games, but also screen time and technology in general. It is true that there is a correlation between increased screen time and worsened social abilities, as social development is gained through experience. That means that the main issue is that someone who is addicted is choosing to spend their time foolishly, by not diversifying it and avoiding a balance of skills. One question that must be answered, however, is whether this gaming "addiction" is really an addiction. According to Psychology Today, research shows that most gamers, even those who spend too much time playing games, are perfectly healthy physically and psychologically.
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with gaming, and agree that for me, gaming is an easily accessible and cheap method of reducing stress and escaping reality compared to traveling or going to the movies. Furthermore, I think that I am time efficient when I multi task by both playing games and doing my homework, but this is actually hurting both my productivity and my overall level of enjoyment. I also think gaming excessively leads to a lack of social skills, which is being shown in the grades that are just starting to enter high school. Because you don't spend much time interacting with people in person, you lose a lot of social skills and your sense of empathy diminishes.
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