Games Addiction in Context Don’t let it spoil your fun.

A responsible look at Computer Games addiction.

There is Plenty of Room for Optimism

The generic term “Computer Gaming” covers all types of games played on computers.  It is best to realise at the outset that there is a distinction to be drawn between “Online Gaming” and “Video Gaming”. “Online Gaming” frequently involves “MMORPGs” – Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games – where you log in to a virtual arena and join a large contest involving several others, perhaps running to hundreds at a time. We see “Video Gaming”  as gaming more likely played in the home on your own or with family and friends on a localized basis such as in your living room, playing video games bought from your local video games retailer or on eBay or perhaps downloaded or swapped with your friends. Many of you will never have participated in MMORPGs although nearly all of you will have at some time played a Video Game, which have been around since the late 1960s. Research tends to show that it is the MMORPGs with their wider social contact that lead to more damaging instances of addiction; 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.

Since 2006 when it opened, The Smith & Jones Centre in Amsterdam has treated hundreds of young gamers from all over the world; 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 concise article is one of three 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.