PURE PANDEMONIUM

A new study concludes that children can become addicted to playing video games, with some skimping on homework, lying about how much they play and struggling, without success, when they try to cut back. 

In what is described as the first nationally representative study in the United States on the subject, researcher Douglas Gentile of Iowa State University found that 8.5 percent of American youths ages 8 to 18 who play video games show multiple signs of behavioral addiction.

Ok I have to post about this one, since I am an avid gamer and have been playing video games since the NES days. First of all, yes there have definitely been times where I have fibbed about how much time I played video games, or saying I didn’t play, when I really stayed up all night playing Ultimate Qix for SEGA.

Can kids become addicted to video games? Probably. Can it be as unhealthy as an addiction to cigarettes or alcohol? Probably in extreme situations. I grew up in a generation where kids still played outside all day when it was nice and stayed in glued to Super Mario World when it was nasty out. Today kids won’t go outside if there was a sign saying “FREE PIZZA!”. No, instaed they stay inside no matter what the weather is,  just to get their game time in. 

Grrbllgrbbllll....Guitar Hero.....grrbblrrbblll

Back in the early-to-mid 90’s you didn’t have the selection of consoles, PC’s, and handhelds that you do today. 

I don’t think its an addiction issue as much as it is a “parents not taking the reigns and making their children play outside” issue.

“But there are outside environments in World of Warcraft, isn’t that good enough?”  

And you wonder why your child is fat…

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