Video Game and Computer Addiction - Is it Really that Serious???

After reading the story about Mia Turman’s 17-month old daughter being killed by the child’s father, because the child accidentally unplugged his X-Box game and it fell, it makes me wonder, is it really that serious? 

On September 12, 2006, WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, PA reported that "His confession was she pulled the cords in the game, the system is - the box itself - fell, and he was upset and then responsible for paying for the game, so he hit her in her face twice," Turman said, adding that Spellman also allegedly slung the child over a chair. You can click here for the whole story of “Mother: Father Killed Child Over Video Game.” 

Like any other addiction, alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling, video games and online computer usage are quickly creeping up the ladder as the addiction of choice among both children and adults. A person can easily spend more than a 40 hour work week on-line on the computer, surfing the internet, socializing in chat rooms, rearranging, sending and receiving files, instant messaging, emailing, playing interactive games and playing free-standing video games as well.

Computers and/or video games have replaced friends and family as the primary source of a person's emotional and social life. Increasingly, to feel good, the addicted person spends more time playing video games or searching the Internet. Time away from the computer or game causes moodiness or withdrawal.

Video games have become so real, so complex and so interactive, that on EA Sports NCAA Football 2007, the gamer can mimic the life of a collegiate football player, down to taking midterms and finals, studying, transferring schools, etc. In The Godfather, a gamer can choose his outfits, get a hair cut, buy weapons at the pawn shop and run around all over New York City to take over different neighborhoods. The Gamer becomes part of this fantasy life. This fantasy life has replaced the gamer’s real world.

Here are some of the emotional, psychological and physical symptoms of video game and computer addiction: