Gaming has been burdened with a large stigma. Despite how gamified our society may be, there are many people who continue to have a sense of detachment to gaming and are mystified as to what hides behind the electronic veils of iPhones, 360s, and PCs. This has led many to make quick assumptions of gamers and one common claim is that many people are addicted to video games.
With so many video game rehabilitation centers popping up across the globe, we have to understand what is behind this gaming addiction that so many parents fear.
Teenagers and children are an important audience in gaming as nearly one-fifth of gamers in the US (according to a 2011 ESA report) are under 18. And accordingly, many of these game rehabs target specifically to these youth.
Parents or loved-ones may send their children to these centers for a gaming detox program. They believe their children have an addiction with gaming. Granted, each situation is different for each family, but it's not hard to think that there may be families out there unnecessarily placing their children in these programs.
If someone is neglecting their relationships and responsibilities, it may be time for someone to step in. But for many, gaming offers an opportunity to escape from reality. If someone is engrossed in an experience for hours in front of their television or computer monitor, why is it frowned upon while those who endlessly read books or paint are given applause?
While parents are becoming increasingly involved with their childrens' gaming habits, there are still those who just seem to stand by and become bewildered with what the kids are doing with that controller.
In the end, it is hard to judge if someone has an addiction to gaming if they just sit back and observe from the side. Parents need to understand how gaming impacts their child's life. Is it a strong passion that they have? Does it allow them to experience life in whole new perspectives? To really think about how harmful gaming can be to a child, parents need to analyze how beneficial gaming can be.
I have several quibbles with this post. But before I begin complaining, let me just say a few things. This post is excellent. It is eye-opening, insightful, and above all else, entertaining. Really good job. However, I must point out that art and reading are beneficial to the mind and can help a person live their lives. While board gaming can help develop a mind and stimulate the brain, video gaming is simply the shutting down of most of the senses. While video gaming, a person is essentially asleep. Other than that, this was great. Quick suggestion, what if you did a post on the social aspects of gaming?
ReplyDeleteA lot of gamers don't treat games to help them insight on life. It's an escape of that. Video games are there because some people just need to escape the need to learn something important and be able to be free to do as they please. Video games are not very insightful at all, unless you're into game design then it can be. I like your posts about gamers, but make sure you get good facts not just from the internet, but gamers themselves and see why they like to game instead of assuming. (And by Gamers, I mean, die hard gamers.)
ReplyDeleteI'm very surprised that gamer rehabs exist. Regarding your question(even if it's probably rhetoric) about why gamers don't get applauded, it's probably because gaming, like you mentioned, is an escape. It shuts your brain off and is not as productive as gaining insight or creating.
ReplyDeleteI do have to disagree with some of the post. Some parents support gaming that stimulates the mind and enhances hand-eye coordination. I know my parents said that I would have been a better driver had I played more video games. I also have to agree with you, gaming can be a passion, but there is a fine line between being a passion and being addicted to a game.
ReplyDeleteLearned something new today. I didn't know there were such things as "gamer rehabs".
ReplyDeleteAlso, maybe parents are concerned with their children spending all their leisure time with video games because--you must admit, you don't really learn or benefit from most videogames--they waste most of their children's time. When one grows up, wouldn't one want memories like flying a kite or riding a bike with friends instead of reminiscing about all the hours one spent on the TV screen?
Playing video games could be adddicting and losing people's minds and they can't remember anything because sometimes if you play video games too much.
ReplyDeleteI guess I can relate to this post. I have this strong addiction of playing Kingdom Hearts. I'll play it over and over. My mom used to be concerned with these habits. I just love it though, it's a game concerning Disney, so it's almost like revisiting my childhood with a controller in my hands. I love the game so much that I even buy their merchadises. I even try to learn the songs on the piano hehe
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