Are You Addicted?By: Kayla Castille

GamingThere are many types of addictions in this

world

The definition of gaming as used in this sense is “the playing of games; especially those considered to be video games”.

video games are described as an electronic or computerized game played by manipulating images on a video display or television screen

AddictionWhat is it?

given by Webster’s dictionary is as follows: “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful”.

Characteristics of Video Game Withdrawaldisoriented, unfocused, confused, unhappy

even to the point of depression if they are unable to play a certain game at that time or beat a certain level

feeling of urgency to return to playing that game, or the continuous thinking about it and how to get to the next level

blurring the lines of what’s reality

Where did it come from?1972 Magnavox OdysseyAtari PongUpdated many timesSega and Nintendo entered in the 80’s

Most Common consoles for my generation Wii, playstaion series, Gamecube, Nintendo

64, Xbox and Xbox 360

Xbox 360Created by Microsoft in 2002 (the original

Xbox)Updated in 2005 to Xbox 360Revolutionized video gamesConnects people from across 26 countriesTalk to peopleFirst to charge a feeMost played console (23.1%)Most competitive and therefore addictive

Who plays this console?What is your stereotyped image?

Who Plays?In 26 Countries

Average age just over 20 (according to Microsoft polls)

45% of users female (according to Neilson survey)

Pros and ConsBenefits Concernsprovide a gamer with a

group they fit intoSome make a living“Stranger on the Train”-

friendsCulturally awareGets rid of prejudices

and fearCan be healthy outlet- in

moderation

Easier to bullyMissing out on real lifeBlurring lines of realityMost of all…the

addictive qualities

What’s nextIf people are getting

addicted to this escape from reality that they get from playing and the realness of that society, what is the

next step up?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECoPbiGfjNw

http://www.stuffwelike.com/stuffwelike/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Gamer-

Movie.jpg

Who is addicted?Some extreme cases Death of childInterventionsImpressionable adolescencePeople predisposed to addictionBetween the ages of 13-25Video Game Addiction -- 5 Extreme Cases - As

ylum.com

My survey20 questions to ask a person you may think is

addicted to figure out if they truly are Name: ___________________ Age: _____ Sex:_____How often do you play online video games? Think about the past year. What is the greatest

number of times you’ve engage in this behavior on any one occasion?

How often during the past year have you found that you can’t stop this behavior once you had started?

How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of gaming?

 How often during the last year have you needed this

behavior in the morning to get yourself going? How often during the last year have you had a feeling of

guilt or remorse after engaging in this behavior? How often during the last year have you been unable to

remember what happened the night before because of this behavior?

 

 Have you or someone else been injured as a

result of engaging in gaming? Has a relative or friend or a doctor been

concerned about your use of a behavior or suggested you cut down?

Do you consider yourself to be addicted to online gaming?

 Does gaming interrupt your daily life?

 How long have you played video games as a whole? Do you consider video games to be dangerously

addictive? Do you feel gaming is more addictive at certain

ages? Do you think there should be regulations on video

gaming? (as in the amount of time spent)

 Do you feel the age restrictions on games are justifiable? Should

be lower? Or should be higher? Do you feel that aggressive and violent games can skew a

person’s outlook on life?  If so, in what way? Do you think gaming is a good way to relieve aggression? Or

may create hostility that wasn’t there?  Do you feel gaming has been an influential part of today’s

society in a positive or negative way?

How to help Addictsthere needs to be recognition that there is a

problem and they need helpOften time video game addicts can stop once

something important to them overwhelms that desire to game such as finding the love of your life

conventional means of reasoning won’t help an intervention- as seen in the video the need to belong out ways the benefits gaming can provide.

Enjoy Video Games!My favorite is Mario Party Wii

But throw in some family Apples to Apples or YAHTZEE!