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
Yay there is now 252 comments
Yay there is now 252 comments
253rd comment
I play about 1 and a half hours on Sunday, and more than that on a plane.
yay
I just put up the 253rd and 254th comments. can the comment list reach 300?
I don't know
I don't know
256th comment
256th comment
I don't have a problem with
I don't have a problem with playing video games. I think everyone should be careful with really gory, shooter games though. That can have an effect on you if you don't stay grounded. Also, people have different sensitivies to things, so I personally would be okay with playing a milder M-rated game like Skyrim, but I generally would avoid playing M-rated games where the entire point of it is to kill. Those seem like they could be dangerous to me. But, everyone has different things they're not comfortable with. Just my two cents. :)
P.S. My parents do give me a time limit, one hour a day and an hour 45 minutes on Saturdays, plus a family movie or something Sunday night. I can save time I don't use thought, like if I want to watch Lord of the Rings or something long like that. Also I'm really only allowed to play games E10+ or under. I'm 16. No joke.
=
THEY ARE BAD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VIDIO GAMESATRE BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
259th comment
why do we play video games?
260th comment
wow. this article now has 260 comments. just 40 more and it has 300
I feel everyone should need a
I feel everyone should need a break once and awhile
last time I checked this had
last time I checked this had around 100!
261 (now 262) WWWWOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!
Origami Yodas comment
Gameing , powerful it is wisely you must use it ... or to the dark side you will go !
sorry about that . - Austin
Sometimes I can't keep origami yoda from saying things .
265th comment
wow. 265. still need 35 more to reach 300.
256
I think it's all just a bunch of parental propaganda from the parents that don't like how other parents care for THEIR OWN children
I play about, maybe thirteen hours a week and usually its split among Minecraft, idle games, .io games, PS3 games like worms
and Little Big Planet 1, 2, 3, and LBP Karting, puzzle games, strategy games, Bloons tower defence 5, SAS4, War robots and MANY more.
256 comments
OOPS
sry that was the 267 THIS is the 268
268th comment
I love video games.
269th comment
this article almost has 300
270th comment
hooray. 270 comments. 30 more to hit 300
I don't understand wy everyone is opsesd with video games!!!
Video games are VERY BAD for you !
U Guys All Seem TO Know Each other...
Can i know u guys to? BTW Im Not Homeschooled
Shur
Shur
274
did you know that Stampy (a famous youtuber) makes around $500000 a video and over a thousand videos in Minecraft alone???
WOW!
I can't believe someone would actually do the stuff on the list.
276th comment
In case you are wondering this is the 276th comment
The knowledge of Alnilamslight
when playing video games you need to follow unofficial rules such as these
-never reveal ANY personal info, not even your name unless you have met in real life and know the person
-take frequent breaks, 1 hour of playing then 10-20 minutes of something NOT electronic
-ONLY play properly rated games (you can find the rating on the case or online)
-don't abuse the chat box or mic (swearing, cussing, insulting, etc)
-avoid playing with people who abuse the chat box and mic
-the report is ONLY for people who do inappropriate acts or continues cussing (and hackers)
-if you find a glitch that would give someone an unfair advantage (like the double cactus jump in Minecraft), then report it
REMEMBER, its one thing to call someone a noob, quite another to call them an idiot.
ALSO REMEMBER, you can kick(if your game leader) or quit(if your not) when you don't like the way someone acts
I'm homeschooled and the only
I'm homeschooled and the only video game I play is portal on my dad's computer.
279th comment
wow. 279 comments
280th comment
wow. 280 comments. just need 20 more to hit 300
281
I played portal 2 through, but it took forever cuz it kept crashing my PlayStation
call for words
anyone want to start a conversation on the difference between systems??? (PlayStation, Xbox, Wii, Wii u, switch, etc)
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
The Wii U is a great home console. I will get a Switch, but I'll wait for the price to go down.
really???
By the time the Switchs price goes down, Nintendo will have made 2 new systems and stop producing for the Switch.
285th comment
alright. 285 comments. 15 more to go
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
How good is the graphics on a Playstation?
PS3
Definitely better than the Wiis. Realy good
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
What's the difference between the Playstation and the Playstation Pro?
289th comment!!
We've got a PS4 at our house. I like to play Minecraft and watch my dad play on it. I also use it to watch stuff like Netflix. (Only a few more comments until we hit 300!!)
Perhaps I am weird, but I
Perhaps I am weird, but I really do dislike electronic games. To me they seem to detract from life rather than add to it. Sure, you can get addicted to them, but that isn't what I mean. What is it about video games that helps? Really, truly, and honestly help in any way? All the arguments for them (improving reflexes and such like) don't seem to be good enough. You can get amazing reflexes by playing sports. So, answer honestly, is the enjoyment out of video games worth the time out of a person's life it takes to play them?
???
Was that a controversial enough question to get us to the comment goal?
Sarah H
Personally, I'm not much of a gamer. I used to play more often and I've had some experience coding some very basic games. I think gaming is fine in moderation, and if people like gaming then that's great. It makes me sad that a lot of games are really violent, because I think that reflects a society that's so deprived of God that they are looking for anything to fill their time. I think violence is very depressing and it's really hurting our generation. My sincerest hope would be that gaming could become more positive (for those who play it) and that people can also use the time they have to make a difference in this world.
Video games
People who say that video games are a waste of time need to understand that by that same logic card games board games, many sports, and other things are also a waste of time. there is nothing wrong with entertainment in moderation, and as technology advances it is only expected that the methods of entertainment will advance also. I personally would rather have an xbox than a pack of cards. And about violence in video games, I don't see a problem with it. I do have a problem with games that are designed to fulfill peoples sadistic nature, but not the violence itself. I don't think shooters are popular because people want to shoot other people, I think that they are popular due to the interesting gameplay that can be very varied.
@Zack w
Seaweed.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Gaming isn't bad for you in moderation, and it actually improves your multitasking skills!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Also, why did you just say seaweed?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
We might as well just say random gaming things.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
controller.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Wait a sec... only one more! any takers?
Going once....going twice....
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Oh well. BOOM: 300!!!!!
does anybody here live in MT?
does anybody here live in MT?
Pages