Licking the disk of a video game does not automatically cause me to trip out and hallucinate. It doesn't alter my brain chemistry driving myself to be locked away in my bedroom for hours gaming. At best I'll get a weird metallic taste and at worst I'll ruin the disk.
So why are people so scared of video game addiction? All research into video game addictions have largely turned back inconclusive results. This is partly because the field of study is so young but also because the evidence so far is that video games in and of themselves are not addictive inherently. The problem lies with what has always been a problem within humans: The Human Condition. As much of a cop out of an answer as that sounds, it treads the grounds of truth. Humans have these voids in them, deep psychological needs and conflicts. Such as anxiety, depression, uncertainty, vulnerability, powerlessness, low self-worth. When these aren't regulated, when they're unbalanced or not being dealt with, the human being has incredible urges to deal with these needs with self-destructive behaviours. So playing video games for long periods of time won't rewrite your personality so that you cannot leave them. Instead, if you are in need of an outlet or some method to fill problems in your being, video games may become the shelter under which you hide, instead of addressing your real problems. There have certainly been days in my life where I've collapsed under the desire to play video games as a hiding refuge instead of dealing with the actual problems causing me stress. This can definitely be negative and appear addictive to people. But it is not inherent to video games. Books, TV, drawing, shopping, sport, any possible form of human interaction that takes quantities of time can be used to replace these voids. People need to be aware if they have these kinds of natures in their personality that video games can become an unhealthy outlet for them certainly. But comparing video games to drugs? That's inaccurate. Video games are not addictive. But Human beings do need to make sure that all things are practised moderation and balance. References: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/video-game-addiction-is-it-real http://kotaku.com/5978808/science-isnt-sure-yet-if-gaming-addiction-is-a-real-mental-disorder
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AuthorBen Spanos is currently playing Undertale, Uncharted: Among Thieves and Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes. Archives
March 2018
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