Neglecting kids isn't videogame addiction-- it's bad parenting
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 16th 2007 at 4:00PM
The AP is reporting on the story of a couple in Nevada who claim they were so addicted to "the Internet and video games" that they neglected the health and well-being of their two children, a 22-month old girl and an 11-month old boy. I won't go into the details, although you can read them in the article, but it's a horrific story. WoW isn't mentioned-- "the fantasy role-playing Dungeons & Dragons series" is, but does that mean DDO or does the reporter just, as usual, have no idea what they're talking about?At any rate, (also as usual) the report eventually turns to videogame addiction and what a "serious issue" it is. Exactly zero mention is made of the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of parents who play WoW and other online games right alongside their children, happily and healthily. A few of my guildies are parents and often play with their kids, and our own Robin Torres writes Azeroth Interrupted, a column about doing exactly that and how to handle issues like playing with your kids. You'll also note that almost no attention is paid to the other problems with this couple-- they gained $50,000 in inheritance, and spend it on computer equipment and a plasma screen rather than anything for their two children. This isn't "abuse rooted in videogame addiction"-- it's abuse rooted in bad parenting.
Kayholder over on WoW Ladies says she gets attacked for playing the game with young children at home-- people automatically say that having children around to take care of should automatically exempt you from playing a game like World of Warcraft.
That's just plain wrong. Any game can be played responsibly by anyone of age, World of Warcraft included. Kay even says that she doesn't raid because she doesn't think she has the time (which is fine as well), but one of my guildies who just had yet another kid is actually our main healer. Good parenting and videogames aren't mutually exclusive-- in fact, in some situations, they're better together.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James Jul 16th 2007 4:04PM
It can't be DDO. I refuse to accept that anyone could become addicted to that.
Zomgdethcoil Jul 16th 2007 4:11PM
Haha, well like he said the reporter probably doesnt know what the hell they're talking about :)
Wrenzo Jul 16th 2007 4:14PM
If they'd been meth-heads this would have just been a tiny little local story. It got more attention because of the gaming angle. I agree with Mike, these parents would have sucked no matter what their hobbies or "addictions" were.
Attapooch Jul 16th 2007 4:18PM
Looks like some raiding guild's going to come up two short the next run.
idburns Jul 16th 2007 4:21PM
People can be addicted to anything...even video games.
Galipan Jul 16th 2007 4:26PM
My MT has a wife and two kids, and lives in the suburbs; gime a break...neglect cus of wow, theyre idiots
Steve Jul 16th 2007 4:30PM
Don’t you just love the media? I have two little kids 4 and 19months and play WoW. Have been since release. I don’t do much raiding or grouping since I may have to leave instantly but my guild knows this. I just play when I have time after the kids are in bed for the night.
Kinnann Jul 16th 2007 4:38PM
If you play WoW with young children in your house, you should go to prison for life.
I swear to God if one more of my PUGs is broken up because "kids are up, got to go, gl" I'm going to scream.
sikntired Jul 16th 2007 4:38PM
I'd have to agree with number 5. I know I will receive flames for it, but thats my belief.
How many people that are reading this article and pointing fingers at the parenting skills would seriously quit Wow right now if asked? The answer to this question is probably the same answer you get from the alchoholics and smokers in the world - "I can quit whenever I want - I just dont want to."
Keep living in denial.
bowen Jul 16th 2007 4:43PM
amen
CVJ Jul 16th 2007 4:46PM
@9 going to have to agree with you, if you work 40 hours a week, commute 30 mins at least to work, have a wife and kids and still raid 3-4 nights a week, no matter how much you want to deny it, your neglecting some RL stuff, there is not that much time in the day to fit both.
jess Jul 16th 2007 4:48PM
Plenty of people in my guild are parents with kids. Last time we downed a boss one came on vent and cheered for us, it was pretty sweet.
James Jul 16th 2007 4:59PM
@9
Hmm, you expect to get flamed. I can see why when you write in to accuse everyone else of being addicted to WoW just because they...what...play WoW? Posted on WoWInsider?
If you choose to believe people can be addicted to WoW, thats one thing. To write in and imply that others can't quit playing WoW because...I'm still not clear on what your logic is for this. Anyway, plenty of people drink beer, and a subset of those are alcholics. Plenty of people play WoW, and a subset of those are addicted. Yet, here you are basically pointing a finger that everyone who says that these people are terrible parents are addicted to WoW.
Just because you can't say no doesn't mean the rest of us can't. Hows that for a leap of logic?
john Jul 16th 2007 4:55PM
i mean heaven forbid that you cut out crappy tv. or going out to eat huge expensive meals or going to movie theaters to watched hyped up movies. reading i do that when i get the chance but hey if i have 3 hours to spend when i get home and choose to play a video game for 2 of them has nothing to do with addiction. i guess i must be addicted to my job and sleep then cause i spend far more time on both of those activities.
robot rock Jul 16th 2007 4:57PM
"You'll also note that almost no attention is paid to the other problems with this couple-- they gained $50,000 in inheritance, and spend it on computer equipment and a plasma screen rather than anything for their two children."
To play devil's advocate....where in the article does it state they bought nothing for their children?
Freehugz Jul 16th 2007 4:56PM
addiction*
Unemployed Cashier? Honestly, how hard is it to get a job as a cashier?
I'm actually glad to see that these kids were taken away from their parents. Internet or not, they don't really seem to be cut out for the whole parenting thing.
James Jul 16th 2007 5:00PM
They did buy things for their children: a lovely plasma screen TV...and apparently, a cat.
tynk Jul 16th 2007 5:00PM
@9
You are giving the same problem that anyone who has to deal with accusers of any addiction have. You convict first. No matter the answer you have decided they are guilty so you twist it.
Just because someone says "they can quit any time, they just don't want to" does not make them addicted. It could just mean, they have no reason to quit and they enjoy the game.
I am not saying people can't get addicted to Video games, even though it is more likely what the video game offers then the game itself. But give it a rest.
Krianna Jul 16th 2007 5:14PM
Slight shift, but the mention of Kayholder reminds me of an odd thing I've noticed-- I just got out of the military, my husband is still in, and most of the folks I game with are in.
You would not BELIEVE the number of folks who demand to know why I'm gaming while "we're paying you to defend the country!" Yes, because for military pay, you get my 24/7 never-any-time-off hiring....
As if the fact that we're on call isn't bad enough, now mothers and military folks are supposed to NEVER do ANYTHING online? Who else? Firefighters? Cops? (Your job is always there, you cannot sit down for ten minutes to play a game!-- But TV and the movies and such are alright.)
chaz Jul 16th 2007 5:14PM
Demonizing gaming is trendy! It has replaced gay marriage.
World of Warcraft is killing the American family.