All someone has to do is simply walk through Bollinger Memorial Student Union to witness the overwhelming popularity of video games. Online video games have gained so much popularity that some believe there is substantial reason for concern. But is there real reason for any concern? After all, how much damage can something based solely in fantasy do to reality?
In most situations the term addiction brings to mind things such as drug and alcohol abuse. So it is hard to imagine someone standing in front of a group of strangers saying, “Hi my name is John Doe, and I am addicted to video games.”
Believe it or not, the concern has gotten to the point that there actually are video game addiction support groups.
There is simply no denying the rapid growth of online video gaming popularity, nor can someone deny that spending too much time focused in fantasy can somewhat blur the lines of reality.
Even the United States military has both taken notice and advantage of what seems to be this blurred view of separating fantasy and reality. In the last few years, the U.S. Army has not only used the idea of sitting around playing video games in its recruiting commercials, but they have also released a video game of their own in which gamers can explore what a career in the army has to offer.
So when does playing video games morph from a simple leisure-time activity to an all-out addiction? The Center for Online Addiction states on its Web site: “spending four hours or more per day playing online video games is, in fact, addiction and a reason for real concern.”
No one would doubt spending that much time playing video games every day may have some consequences to a person’s social life, but can it be detrimental to one’s health?
Strange as it may seem, playing online video games has been recorded as a substantial factor in at least 3 reported deaths.
In one case, a 28-year-old South Korean man died from heart failure stemming from extreme exhaustion. He had spent 50 hours playing the game “Starcraft” at a local Internet cafe with very few short breaks to use the bathroom when he simply collapsed.
I’m not saying anyone and everyone who plays these games is an addict, just like not all who consume alcohol are alcoholics. However, if someone has any doubts about whether a friend may have a problem, without any sudden movements, the person should guide their friend to the nearest exit of the room and take them to the park, or any place where real people are roaming around in the real world.
