Online Gaming Addiction

(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