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
1,754th comment
Isn't it insane that we almost have 2,000 comments? I wonder what the record is for most comments on WORLDteen?
@ Alyssa S
The length of the comments doesn't fill the page, it only counts the number of comments. The most efficient way of getting an unwanted page filled is to post a bunch of tiny comments. Not that we should do that, unless they each say something.
Voting
We should have it so that people can propose a rule on here, and others can vote, for the remainder of the page, on that suggestion. Then we can figure out what we each consider good practice.
Some people actually have
Some people actually have improved parts of their brains because of playing video games. Of course, as this article points out, some kids will gain an addiction from playing games. It's kind of like the debate on coffee because their are good things about coffee, and bad things about coffee. LOL :D
Sorry, I wrote THEIR instead
Sorry, I wrote THEIR instead of THERE at the part, ''on coffee because their are''
If you play video games for
If you play video games for half an hour every day, your vision will eventually go bad. Anyone have glasses or contacts? If you do, this might be the cause.
HA HA!
I sounded like an advertisement for a commercial on the last comment LOL ''Have you been playing video games too much? If so you might want to get your vision checked at our new vision clinic for people that live on earth. And... if you call now we'll down your price from $999.99, to $998.99! Call now if you want this extraordinary deal. We'll even through in a special gift if you call right now. Call now. I said, call now. Call... NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!''
@ David U
Lol, 1000 dollar glasses. They'd have to be really good
"NO SUBJECT"
OK, everyone try to answer this question: What is your dream job?
I want to be an Actress, Nurse or Criminal Investigator.
Joel L.
Ooops. Didn't know that, but I guess I do now:D
@Emelia G.
Hmmm. I would say horse trainer:D
Or maybe a detective:D
Or maybe a detective:D
My mom used to be a nurse!!
My mom used to be a nurse!!
I think it would be fun to be
I think it would be fun to be an actress too:D I think I could do pretty well, I love acting:D
Anyone here?
Anyone here?
Anyone here?
Anyone here?
Anyone here?
Anyone here?
Well... bye, I'll check back
Well... bye, I'll check back in about 5 min. or so to see if you're there:D
No one's here, so bye for
No one's here, so bye for today(probably)!
228 More Comments
We only need 228 more comments. So... keep commenting please
Hmmm I don't know what I wan
Hmmm I don't know what I wan't to be, probably something to do with medical stuff. @ David U this is probably the most comments I believe, because the most others and I ever found on another article was around 869 I think. (Horse Doctor).
@EG Jobs
My job interests are board game design, and knife-making. I probably be happy in a job in which I didn't interact with many people directly, and in which I was making something.
@ Joel L
Yes I also would like a job where I didn't have to interact with a lot of people : ) Not that people are bad : )
@Emelia G.
You better not think people are bad, 'cause you're one:p
I just like taking care of
I just like taking care of things. People or animals.
But I agree. I am mostly an
But I agree. I am mostly an introvert, but I don't mind being around people a little. I think introverts spend a lot more time on social media and phone calls than extroverts because they don't have to talk to people face to face.
You sound like a caring
You sound like a caring person:D That's nice:)
I would ALMOST like to be a
I would ALMOST like to be a nurse, but I couldn't stand to see someone in pain, especially if I'm causing it by sticking a needle in:D
SORRY!!!!!!!!!
OOOoppppssss!!!!! Sorry Emilia, that comment was supposed to be for Anna C.
I think I would rather be a
I think I would rather be a vet and take care of animals rather than people:D
@ Emelia G
I would want to own a wolf rescue or animal shelter.
Clara's brother
I love to run,I love to play MINECRAFT and I love to whistle
WorldTeen Notice:
"Hello teens! It seems that you have been commenting a little too much for our servers.
Please move on to one of our latest articles as we start saving our site!"
Your Friends at WorldTeen,
WorldTeen Staff
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Uh, guys, I found this on my gmail account! It's legit. (I just copied it to show you guys.) I think we should stop commenting!!!!!!
OH.DEAR.
Let's go to the article about the zebra stripes(forgot what it's called). See ya' there!!!
Karisma S
Video games are an addicting waste of time. How does it help anyone?
@ Karisma S.
We're not supposed to comment on here anymore. did you see the warning?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Hahahahahahah. I made it up! GOOD LUCK TO REACH 50,000 COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!
cool
cool
i have never played a video
i have never played a video game in my whole entire life!
Too much... is too little.
Who here has logged over 100 hours in Minecraft, Roblox, or Roblox Studio?
@Matthew H.
WOW...… you really tricked us all!!! I'm trying to decide whether to laugh or get into my fighting mode..... if so, then you better be glad you are out of my reach!!!!>:(
@ Alyssa S
Ditto. :) What was everyone discussing before we were interrupted?
READ THISS!
Dear WORLDteen Readers
PERMALINK ON WED, 02/27/2019 - 15:26 | BY
Please do not use the comments area as a personal chat room or to simply compile the greatest number of postings. The comments function was not designed for that. It is provided as a service for readers to share feedback that is relevant to the news story and pertinent/appropriate for all readers. We appreciate your cooperation in making the comments a safe and relevant feature for the WORLDteen news site.
Thank you,
Your WORLDteen Editors
THIS was posted on all the knew articuls!
i think you should obey it!!
@Nadia A.
Matthew H. made it up!!!!!
He posted it on there, so,
He posted it on there, so, unless you believe in obeying your peers, WE CAN REACH 50,000,000,000,000!!!!!!!!
@Joel L.
We were commenting on what dream-jobs we want to have.
@ Mathew H
Every one of us believed you!
This is getting confusing.
This is getting confusing. Did anyone notice that (I'm pretty sure it's the editor) a new comment came up saying:
WORLDteen readers:
Permalink On Fri, 03/01/2019 - 10:51 | BY
Recently a reader posted a comment posing as WORLDteen staff, so this message bears repeating:
Please do not use the comments area as a personal chat room or to simply compile the greatest number of postings. The comments function was not designed for that. It is provided as a service for readers to share feedback that is relevant to the news story and pertinent/appropriate for all readers. We appreciate your cooperation in making the comments a safe and relevant feature for the WORLDteen news site.
Please be aware of and follow the WORLDteen website policies here: https://teen.wng.org/about/website_policies
Abuse of the comments feature may result in postings being deleted, or the reader’s commenting privileges being revoked.
Thank you,
Your WORLDteen Editors
But I think it's legit, because the user name is "By", and that's all. do you think we should stop commenting or is this another one of Matthew H's tricks?
ALYSSA, PLEASE NOTE: I am appending this confirmation to your posting so you know that our message about the guidelines concerning comments is genuine. Thank you. - H. Brinkman, Publisher, God's World News
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