Mental health professionals have long debated the impact of video games on children. An article published in Medical News Today, April 20, “Nearly 10 Per Cent Young American Video Gamers Addicted,” examines this issue. The article reports on a study published online on April 1, 2009 in the journal Psychological Science. The researchers surveyed “……1,178 randomly selected American youths aged from 8 to 18. The survey collected enough data to enable [the researchers] to assess the extent to which the youngsters were showing pathological behavior in respect of video game playing…The criteria include the extent to which the behavior causes family, social, school or psychological damage, among other things.” The results of the study were concerning. “…8.5 per cent of the survey respondents were showing symptoms that would be classified by the manual as pathological if they had been gambling instead of playing video games….The results showed that pathological gamers: …..Spent 24 hours a week playing video games: about twice as much time as non-pathological gamers…Were more likely to have video game systems in their bedrooms…..Were more likely to report having problems paying attention at school….Were more likely to have received a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)….Received poorer school grades…Had poorer health…Were more likely to say they felt "addicted" to their habit…..Stole to support their habit.” There are several important implications of this study. First, parents of children who appear to be addicted to videos must take immediate action and have their child evaluated and treated for their addiction. Second, mental who treat ADHD youth must assess all these children for the presence of a video game addiction. Third, school professionals who suspect a student of being addicted to video games should immediately confer with that child’s guidance counselor to craft an action plan. Fourth, public health professionals must do a better job of educating the public about the dangers of video games and children.
The Bottom Line: The results of this study strongly suggest that video games and addicting and dangerous in children.
Reference: The original article
Additional Sources of Information:
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- Stress and the Human Brain
- Early Life Stress and the Immune System
- The Facts About Major Depressive Disorder
- The Parent's Guide to Understanding Adolescent Depression
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Dr. Jeffrey Speller Dr. Tanya Korkosz
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