(n.d.). Retrieved from http://jyeungg.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/video-game-addiction-1.jpg
Online gaming represents one of the biggest and fastest growing Internet businesses around the world. In countries overseas such as China and South Korea, online gaming is much more than just playing a game: It is a lifestyle. Video games are considered to be a major social activity and many young kids aspire to become pro-gamers. China has the largest online user base in the world, with 457 million active users, of which 2/3 engage in online game play. South Korea is known for the fact that professional gaming has a very extensive following in the country. Major tournaments are often held and even broadcast on live television for everyone to watch. Pro-gamers are held with the utmost regards and treated as celebrities.
Statistics on video game addiction in teens can be found here: http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/dgentile/SRCD%20Video%20Game%20Addiction.pdf
The average online computer game player spends about 25
hours per week playing online games. This is close to the average amount of
time people spend watching TV.
Television addiction is quickly becoming replaced by online gaming
addiction, with people spending less time watching TV shows and more time
playing games on their computers. However, the majority of addicts spend in
excess of 40 hours per week playing games.
They find themselves skipping out on daily chores just to be able to
play more.
The average computer game addict is a male around the age of 25. The average female addict is 32 years of age, as females become more addicted as they get older due to influences from their boyfriends and husbands.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Technology/Pix/pictures/2007/11/14/china-internet460x276.jpg
Addiction to online gaming is becoming a growing
problem. The Chinese government has
implemented an anti-addiction game system, while the Korean government even had
to go so far as to ban anyone under the age of 18 from playing online games
between midnight and 8:00 am. While this addiction is a serious problem, these decisions are a step in the right direction.
Do you play any online games? If so, there is a possibility that you might be addicted. However, there are now many sites and programs to help with online gaming addiction. In order to get self help for your addiction, we suggest visiting the Online Gamers Anonymous website.
Sources
Cain, G. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1983234,00.html
Chinese ministries schedule anti-addiction game system. (11, April 2007). Retrieved from http://www.chinatechnews.com/2007/04/11/5240-chinese-ministries-schedule-anti-addiction-game-system
Computer game addiction - MMORPGs. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://internetaddictiondisorder.org/computer-game-addiction-mmorpgs/
Online gaming in China. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_gaming_in_China
Computer game addiction - MMORPGs. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://internetaddictiondisorder.org/computer-game-addiction-mmorpgs/
Online gaming in China. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_gaming_in_China
I had heard about this before and it is astonishing. I don't play online game but I know of some friends that do and they say it is highly addicting!
ReplyDeleteI was not aware this was such a serious problem. The statistics are concerning. I agree that internet gaming should be limited after learning about the time spent on this activity. I wonder if the numbers in the United States are similar. In addition, I am curious as to whether the ban system or the anti-addiction game system is being implemented in conjunction with education and/or support as I am sure these additional measures would help to mitigate this problem.
ReplyDeleteI do play Xbox live but that is all the online gaming I do. I do sometimes feel like I play too much when I've been playing well in a game like Call Of Duty or NHL. I don't feel like I'm an addict because I know when I should stop playing but I do know people that play online gaming almost every single day for a number of hours and I feel like that is an addiction.
ReplyDeleteKnowing when to stop is the key to playing these games. When time continues to slip away from us and we can't quite pull ourselves away from the gaming, we are much more likely to become addicted.
DeleteI do not play online games, therefore I don't think it is likely that I will start or become addicted. However, I know people who play online games and play excessively. I'm glad that China is taking measures to cure gamer's addictions, and I am also glad that recourses for help are available such as the web page you listed.
ReplyDeleteI remember being addicted to a game called rune scape in middle school, my mom had to take my laptop away and forced me to leave the CPU alone
ReplyDeleteI love playing video games! But I also know that it can not be the only thing I do at all times because I have responsibilities. It is sad when I see or know someone who is addicted to video games because the first response they give is that they are not addicted. Sadly, it is obvious when someone is addicted to many things. In the end, I just hope they get help. I understand that playing video games are fun, but they should never control your life.
ReplyDeleteI just spoke about this on another blog, but I have spent a lot of time playing online games. I've logged 28 days playing World of Warcraft, hundreds and hundreds of hours with Forza 4. I don't even want to know how much time I have spent online with all the Call of Duty games I've played.
ReplyDeleteThe result of my experience is that I believe online gaming addiction is a real thing. There have been times where I would skip class to play a game because there was an important event online at that time, or because it was the only time one of my friends could play. Luckily I am able to keep myself in line now, but it is a serious problem that should be recognized by more people.
I have seen this first hand with my boyfriend. He started playing games with others on the internet (MW3 and WoW) and became obsessed. He would spend HOURS playing . When playing WoW i couldn't even talk to him because he would be so engulfed into the game that he was in another world. Its crazy to me how a person can go to this extreme.
ReplyDeleteI am from Vietnam, and I can tell you gaming is as big a problem there as it is in China and Korea. I was a gaming addict myself. I and my peers used to pay visits to "internet shop" every day. We ordered food and drinks because we stayed there for hours. It didn't seem so bad of the habit since everyone was doing the same thing. Thanks for addressing this alarming topic.
ReplyDeleteTriet Pham
I definitely think that certain factors would make someone more likely to become addicted to video games. Off the top of my head some of these would probably be: loneliness, having a family member who plays video games, depression, etc
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that gaming was such a big thing in China. It is crazy to think that pro-gamers are treated as celebrities there, seeing as it is not like that in the United States. I definitiely think it sounds like they have a problem with excessive gaming in China. One of the first things I believe they need to work on is to not make gamers out to be celebrities if they are trying to get people to not play them as much. I believe the steps they have taken thus far could be beneficial in helping this problem.
ReplyDeleteOnline gaming has become a major problem with how available the internet has become. People become easily addicted to these games and spend multiple hours a day playing games. Spending this much time playing games online can have major affects on a persons life.
ReplyDelete