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
@Leah P
Do you mean in Montana?
video games
I don't think a little video game playing over the weekend is bad, but I think their are better things to do with your time.
Commenting: When Is It Too
Commenting: When Is It Too Much? JK:P
305th comment
yay. 305 comments. can we shoot for 350?
@ Older K.
Yes, let's make it to 350! And it's awesome that we hit 300, the last time I checked it was like 280-something.
It was 289. I remember now,
It was 289. I remember now, because I checked.
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Let's keep commenting every day for a couple months and try to get to 1,000!!!!!
(Sophie B)
I like video games a lot, but I don't play them much, Minecraft is okay, fortnight stinks, overwatch is meh, I like the witcher, ssb is fun, most Mario games are okay, my dad plays GTA 5 but I never have. And I am home schooled to! :)
(Sophie B)
This is my opinion though, you peoples might have a different opinion.
In my opinion Fortnite is one
In my opinion Fortnite is one of the best games made.
I’ve been playing since season 6
Has anyone played season one?
Season 7 is the best!
Hello.
Hello.
FORTNITE!
IS!
AWESOME !
If you think Fortnite is awesome than say yes!
YES!
Yes
Yes
YESS!
YESS!
Oh yea! F O R T N I T E !
Oh yea!
F
O
R
T
N
I
T
E
!
Yes!
Yes!
I live in Alaska
I live in Alaska
I like it here in Alaska!
I like it here in Alaska!
Fortnite is pretty good. I
Fortnite is pretty good. I used to watch my dad play it, but I don't really play it myself. I usually play Minecraft, and that only on Saturdays or for a reward. Our TV rules are a little stricter in our house, which I actually think is pretty awesome because then I have more time to do the things I love instead of sitting there glued to a screen.
320th comment!
So it would be pretty much impossible for me to develop a gaming disorder :-)
@ CF
Yes :)
(Sophie B)
My biggest problem with fortnight is it's basically, ya shoot people, than ya dance. It's just not my favorite game, I think its over rated
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Okay.
wow
we don't play fortnight but we have a old Nintendo like really old that my dad and brother play on that matches our TV and we pretty much only watch TV on Friday night and Saturday morning have any of y'all watched ice age (kinda a personal favorite XD)
Lets make it to 350 comments
Lets make it to 350 comments by the end of January!!!!
@ Leah P.
Yes, I have seen Ice Age, it is funny! Have you seen all of them? I so, which one is your favorite? Also, my dad used to have a Nintendo that he got for Christmas but he sold it for some reason. It was a special one that had all the old games and graphics and stuff.
*edit* If so, not I so (I
*edit* If so, not I so (I forgot to hit the F key while I was typing LOL)
@ LP
Yes I have i think that the dawn of the Dinosaurs is the best the next one is coming out this year!!!!!! im so excited i think that it comes to the theaters in July
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Um, is that a game?
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
Wait, 330 comments!!!!!!!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.) To everyone.
Anyone have a Nintendo Switch?
Ice Age and New Mexico
I love Ice Age too! My favorite is probably the 1st or the 3rd. Sid the sloth is my favorite character. I don't live in Montana or Alaska, but I would like to visit them though, especially since those are good states to find wolves in : ) But I do live in New Mexico, does anyone else? Do any of you play Just Dance?
(Sophie B)
I love just dance its a good way to exercise, and have fun!
@ Sophie B
Cool, Sophie! My favorite ones are the second and the fourth.
Who lives in Indiana
Who lives in Indiana
HOMESCHOOLERS!!!!!!!!!
Homeschooler's are awesome. I do play some video games but not for super long. I think it is fine if you are not addicted to it. You should be able to get off of the screen and find something to do.
@ JV
I think that peaches is my favorite character but sid is the funniest
338th Comment!!!
Who lives in Ohio?
ATTENTION
did no one read my comment where I specifically stated NEVER give away ANY personal information??? (where you live counts as personal info even if this is a relatively safe site)
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
I agree.
@ BOLTHOUSE3 B
Hey all I'm joining the conversation again, even though I said I was done commenting:) Yes, I do agree you should never give out personal information, but if you tell someone what state you live in, say, Montana, whoever would like to use that personal information against you is going to have to find you out of all the people in Montana (which has 1.05 million [2017]). But, I think giving out information like city/town, name (First name, OK, second, No), age, grade etc. are not OK. But this is just my personal opinion:)
WOW!!!
There are so many comments on this article! Can I join in? I think you guys know each other a lot from what I read.
@Anna C
I agree with you on not giving away any personal info to anyone you meet online; I'll just tell yall I live in Canada.
I'm home schooled as well and
I'm home schooled as well and we're only allowed to play Wii on Saturdays.
445 comments
445 comments
O_O
this is an absured amount of comments!
It does seem like a lot of
It does seem like a lot of comments, but, as someone said earlier, the article "Horse Doctor" has 869 comments, so we still have a long way to go!
I would much rather ride my
I would much rather ride my horse or skate rather than playing video games, especially because you can easily get addicted to video games.( I am actually addicted to riding my horse, so during my school breaks, I just run out to the pasture, jump on his back, and away we go :) ).
349th Comment
Cool, Alyssa! What's your horse's name? Do you like ice skating or roller skating? It depends on the video game, but I would rather roller skate then play video games. 349th comment! Can we make it to 400?
350 Comments!
I would much rather ride horses then play video games:)
Julia V.
His name is Ranger(although the previous owners called him "doughnut" which does NOT fit:) ). I enjoy ice skating more than roller skating; which do you like better?
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