Yet Another Article on Gaming Addiction
by Mike D'Anna 
Jun 29th 2006 at 11:00AM
Because I just can't get enough of this subject, the Dallas Morning News has an article online today about the by-now-familiar subject of online gaming addiction. Remember the article we linked to a few weeks back about the Amsterdam Clinic that had opened a program for gaming addicts? Well, they're not the only mental health professionals who are addressing the problem. This article contains quotes from several other workers in the field who claim that the number of instances of 'technology addiction' (the catch-all umbrella that gaming addiction apparently falls under) is on the rise, with no end in sight. Dr. John O'Neil of Houston sums things up with a telling quote:"In a way, the Internet is like Las Vegas," he said. It offers anything you want; it seems like the perfect place to cut loose for anonymous fun; and it's open 24 hours a day."
My opinion on the subject is the same as it's always been: anything can be harmful if one becomes too deeply involved in it, and there are many other factets of the internet that can be just as all-consuming to the easily-addicted: chat rooms, online gambling, and, of course our old friend pornography are all things that can cause disruption in one's life if they are indulged in to excess. Of course, people have been addicted to sex & gambling for centuries; this whole video game thing is still pretty much uncharted territory. Maybe that's why I find this stuff so fascinating...or maybe I just like to read about people who make me look less addicted...
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bert Jun 29th 2006 7:03PM
I'm not surprised noone has commented on this. Everyone who reads it is probably feeling a bit shameful and would rather not think about this. After reading this article and several others, I am seriously considering limiting myself to WoW three nights a week instead of finishing work, dropping everything and start on WoW till its time to sleep.
Chork Jun 30th 2006 7:29AM
"instead of finishing work, dropping everything and start on WoW till its time to sleep." Yep me too, although I cant see myself changing any habits.. Im sort of hoping other things will become more interesting sooner or later.