Gaming Addiction Debunked
Gaming Addiction Debunked Don’t let it spoil your fun.
A responsible look at Computer Games addiction.
The Positive Viewpoint
The generic term “Computer Gaming” covers all types of games played on computers. Firstly there is a difference between “Online Gaming” and “Video Gaming”. “Online Gaming” invariably involves ”MMORPGs” – Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games – logging into a cyber arena and competing with several others, who are quite possibly total strangers. There may even be hundreds participating at any given moment. Video Gaming is usually played in private at home, perhaps on your own or maybe with family or friends on a totally local basis, playing video games bought from your local video games retailer or on eBay or perhaps downloaded or swapped with your friends. Although MMORPGs are massively popular and involve wider social contact, there will be far more people who have never experienced playing them. The wider social contact of MMORPGs seems to be a factor more likely to push people to addiction according to research; but not always!
There��s some good news: quoted by BBC News, Keith Bakker, founder and principal of Europe��s first clinic to treat gaming addicts, reckons that 90 per cent of young people seeking treatment for compulsive computer gaming are not in fact addicted.
The Smith & Jones Centre in Amsterdam has treated hundreds of young gamers from all over the world since the clinic opened in 2006; but since discovering that compulsive gaming is a social rather than psychological problem, it has been changing its treatment regime.
The American Psychological Association in 2007, conducted research to determine if computer video game addiction should be added or not to the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders being released in 2012. Gamers will be happy to hear their conclusion was that there was not enough evidence to confirm that addiction to computer video games was a disorder.
This is one of three concise articles, looking at the thorny matter of Computer Gaming Addicition. The articles have been researched and written by a site dedicated to Video and Online Gaming and seek to present a balanced and responsible view of Gaming Addiction.
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