Preparing for virtual danger is what video gamers do best. But they may not be ready for this real-world health hazard: too much playing time.
The World Health Organization has revised its disease manual. WHO specialists now consider compulsive video game playing a mental health condition. They say classifying “gaming disorder” as a condition will help families and health care workers be more watchful and ready to identify the risks of gaming.
Most experts admit cases of gaming disorder are rare—with no more than 3% of gamers affected. But the conclusion confirms the fears of some parents of avid young gamers.
God graciously gives us all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17) He even gives cravings! From the beginning, Adam and Eve craved food and beauty and fellowship. (Genesis 2:9, 18) But when cravings—“the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life”—overtake the craving for God, they are wrong. (1 John 2:15-16)
Some people welcome the gaming disorder label. They say identifying addicts quickly is important because compulsive gamers are usually young people—those who often don’t seek help themselves.
Others worry the label may brand too many gamers. “People need to understand this doesn’t mean every child who spends hours in their room playing games is an addict,” says Dr. Joan Harvey of the British Psychological Society.
Dr. Mark Griffiths has researched gaming disorder for 30 years. He says most people play video games for entertainment. “You have these short, obsessive bursts and yes, people are playing a lot,” he says, “But it’s not an addiction.”
Griffiths believes many compulsive gamers probably have other problems—like autism or depression. Those problems feed their playing too much.
The American Psychiatric Association knows gaming is a problem. APA studies show that playing video games triggers something in some people’s brains “in the same . . . way that a drug addict’s brain is affected by a particular substance.” Still, the association believes doctors need more research before calling compulsive gaming a disorder.
What are symptoms of a gaming problem? Here’s a partial list:
—Anger, nervousness, or sorrow when gaming is taken away
—Needing to spend more time gaming
—Failed attempts to quit
—Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
—Lying about time spent gaming
—Using gaming to feel better
—Risking jobs or friendships because of gaming
The dangers of excess are clear. Too much of a good thing—food, sleep, exercise, or video games—is just that: too much.
The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. — Proverbs 22:3
101
Hey, look at that! 101 Dalmatians... I mean comments!
103 comments!
3 pages!
Can we try for 150 comments?
Can we try for 150 comments?
Sure! But what do we talk
Sure! But what do we talk about now?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
How about this:
"Tips and Tricks," which could all be about glitches, cheats, or tips on playing a specific game?
Any takers?
Yoshi
never go in the little waterfalls around Yoshi falls. The bridges are much faster.
Yoshi Falls
Which Mario Kart? I have the 8th.
Yoshi falls
Mario Kart Wii
(The best one)
Yeah, don't do that. I have
Yeah, don't do that. I have both Mariokart now, but I don't have any tips or tricks for 8. For Mariokart, (most people probably know this, but oh well) hold B to hold certain items behind you. Example: A red turtle shell is coming and you have a banana. Hold B till it comes. It will hit your banana and not you! (Unless it's coming toward the front of your kart:)
NOT REALLY........
We don't play video games very much, but my family(I have 5 little sisters and brothers) goes to an activity center right here where I live, and they have a Wii there we like to play sometimes. We go a lot in the wintertime, but mostly then we learn different sports. We learned hockey last year, and me and two of my brothers play street hockey for the Bulldogs now. I mean, we did last year. I'm planning on doing it again. I play defense, and this past hockey season the guy who is our second-to-best player just graduated to varsity, so I'm competing for Best Defenseman of the year. We play in Hazleton PA, so it's about 30 minutes from our house. Do any of you guys play sports?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Well, I have one. In Lego Marvel Super Heroes Wii U, get a Hydra Tank. Now, drive up to a wall, or better, a corner, and jump out of the vehicle and into the gunner's seat. (Make sure you are a flying character.) Now, shoot at the wall until the vehicle explodes and you will fall through the surface. Get out of the seat about 1.5 seconds after going "under," and you are now able to fly around NYC with everything on "glass." And, you can even fly out of NYC and explore "inhabitable" areas!
@ Eliana C
No, I don't play any sports. I used to take tennis lessons though. Star Wars Saga cheat: Look on the Internet for codes you can use in game. They are really helpful. There are like 8x, money, another character, minikit detector (I think), and others.
@Eliana C
Do any of you watch American Ninja Warrior? I go to a ninja obstacle gym in NM called Ninja Park that has all sorts of obstacles from the show. So that kind of counts as a sport : ) I used to play basketball.
Ninja warrior
I watch American ninja warrior.
For anyone who plays overwatch next time low gravity mode is in arcade try playing Junkrat and launching yourself into the air with your mines, you go so high and you can rain grenades down from above!
My friend's father has done
My friend's father has done American ninja warrior.
@Sarah K.
What is his name?
Jumping in randomly to the conversation.
I LOVE ANW!!! I was so sad this year when nobody won! Who your favorite ninja? Some of mine are Najee Richardson, Megan Martin, Joe Moravsky, Daniel Gil, and Drew Dreschel.
dude
i play fortnite and it is so fun there is nothing wrong with gaming if you don't play long then it is fine long live FORTNITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
ANW
My favorite ninjas are Jessie Graff, Joe Moravsky, Megan Martin , Jake Murray and Kevin Bull. (I'm not sure I spelled all their names right : )
Can you watch American Ninja
Can you watch American Ninja Warrior on youtube for free? I have wanted to see that. We don't have cable or anything. But we do have a Roku.
NEW SUBJECT!
My new puppies name is Moxie! She white with light brown spots and a tiny bit of black around her eyes.
Cute! What type of dog is
Cute! What type of dog is she?
Me too!
I have Wii disc for Mario Kart 8 too, Matthew H!
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love watching ANW! Sometimes I build my own courses with my brothers.
I like sewing, reading,
I like sewing, reading, crocheting, hiking and swimming. Anyone else? Right I am sewing Christmas ornaments shaped like little Kyrgyz slippers for my grandparents and good friends.
I'm hand sewing them. I don't
I'm hand sewing them. I don't know how to use a machine.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Hi again.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Um, any tips or tricks?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Any?!?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
C'mon guys!
Wii Sports Resort > Air
Wii Sports Resort > Air Sports > Island Flyover: Shoot a flare, and another plane will shoot a yellow flare. You find the plane, and he will lead you to landmarks.
Star Wars Saga: Youtube is really helpful for finding minikits (that was probably a cheat: )
Cabela's North American Adventures: When taking a video of your last shot, they place you right in front of where you are supposed to video. The first time I did it, I kept looking all around!
Animal Jam: Boy, I probably have a lot (even though I don't play it any more:) Let's see, ok, if you are making a potion in Brady Barr's place, click each color three times, the fire three times, then the bottle. You will get a changing color potion.
A.R. @ Clara L.
I like hiking and swimming as well and LOVE to read! What's your favorite book (besides the Bible of course)? I really like the Wingfeather Saga, it's a four-book fantasy series that is really well written.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To Anna C.
Thank You!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To Isaac R.
Hey, I like the Wingfeather saga too! I got every book signed by Andrew Peterson himself! Have you seen the short film?
ps4
i play on ps4, usually just play fortnite and marvels spider man
@ Matthew H
Yw!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To Anna C.
What did you say? I didn't understand "YW."
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Does it mean "You Wahoo?"
@ Matthew H
Oh, sorry, it means, "Your Welcome" : ) Then there are also ones like - plz (please), thx (thanks), ty (thank you), tysm (thank you so much), yw (your welcome), srry (sorry), idk (I don't know), idc (I don't care), ikr? (I know, right?), and that's all I can think of. The funny thing is, I learned these from Animal Jam.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To Anna C.
Thank you so much!
@ Matthew H
Yw! : )
A.R. @ Andrew H.
Wow Andrew! That's cool! I've barely met anyone who has heard of the Wingfeather Saga. More people should definitely read it. My books aren't signed by Andrew Peterson, but that would be nice. Yes, I've seen the short video. I can't wait for more to come out! Do you have any of Andrew Peterson's music? I like a lot of his music.
The Wingfeathers
I've read the Wingfeather Saga! It's so good! I like Andrew Peterson's music too, especially his Christmas music.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To Isaac R.
Yes! I do!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To everyone.
How long do you think you should be playing video games every day?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
I would probably say, at the max, 2 hours.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
I mean, I play for around 5 hours every week.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
149 comments!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
150 COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!
We play 30 minutes every day
We play 30 minutes every day except Sunday, but I feel like it would be nice to have 45. But I'm fine with 30.
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