The Growing Concern of Online Gaming Addiction
Major advancements in
technology have seamlessly connected people across the globe (Chanda, 2007).
Video games, for instance, have existed since the 1940s (Princeton, n.d);
however, game developers have subsequently introduced Massively
Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games or MMORPG, where players interact in real
time and across borders for collective game activities (Cornett, 2004). It
has become whole new platform that facilities geographically separated gamers
to interact and form close bonds. Subsequently, it results in new
problem evident worldwide; gaming addiction. Gaming addiction is defined as “the excessive
or compulsive use of computer and video games in a way that multiple
areas of their (people’s) lives are damaged, such as school, social,
family, occupational, psychology and health (lowa State University, 2011).” The
same article mentions a study on Singapore youth that has shown that one out of
ten gamers are addicted. With the growing concern of gaming addiction among teens in
Singapore, the government and parents should collectively monitor
the behaviour of young people and actively promote means of
preventing and reducing addition.
Gaming addiction can
result in serious health problems with gamers sacrificing sleep just to earn
more hours for game play. Common medical problems that arise from addiction
include “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes, backaches, severe headaches, eating
irregularities, such as skipping meals, failure to attend to personal hygiene,
and sleep disturbance (Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, n.d).” In the social context, addicts spend more time in seclusion and
less with family and friends (Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery,
n.d). The addiction can place stress and tension on family relationships
and impede an addict’s ability to sort priorities such as education
and family. An unhealthy emotional connection to the game character
and over-reliance on on-line friendships may be formed.
To ameliorate these
problems, the government can promote campaigns and implement policies targeted
at preventing and reducing addiction. For instance, to target the heavy
addicts, gaming rehabilitation can be introduced. Gamers often find it hard to
quit on their own and suffer from withdrawal symptoms. The concept of recovery
support groups and focus groups can be used in the program to increase its
effectiveness. Through these group sessions, addicts can share their struggles
and experiences in fighting addiction and render support to each other.
Additionally, similar to sexual education in schools, gaming education can be
introduced to inform students about the risks of excessive gaming. Teachers can
pay more attention to students’ schoolwork performance and stay vigilant to
identify possible addiction symptoms as early as they may surface.
The Singapore
government should actively promote campaigns to educate parents of the negative
impacts tied to excessive gaming, symptoms of addiction and how to cope with
addiction. Seeking professional help is the first step in coping
with addiction; however, it is often the hardest step an addict has to take. A
game addict can become “far too immersed in the virtual world, and as a result,
not realize he or she has a problem (Chua & Poon, 2010).”
In that context, the
role of family members is very important in making the addict realize his or
her problem and seek medical help. Early childhood
education within the household is extremely important in the prevention of
gaming addiction. Parents should not simply tell the child to stop playing
games, but rather, encourage and help the child find other healthier pastimes
to replace the gaming habit (Chua & Poon, 2010). By engaging in outdoor
leisure activities, the child not only benefits from a healthier lifestyle but
also significantly decreases the risk of gaming addiction. To reduce the risk of addiction, family
members of young gamers need to step in and be more proactive in consistently
monitoring their behavior. Parents should establish strict rules and limit the
child’s Internet usage to 2-3 hours a day to avoid spending excessive time on
games. If addiction symptoms surface, the family should seek medical help from
professionals immediately to avoid the problem from escalating.
In conclusion, gaming
addiction is a growing problem in Singapore, with one out of ten youths
affected. It results in negative social and medical problems. However, through
government initiatives, proper education and emotional support from parents,
gaming addiction can be reduced and controlled.
References:
Chanda, N. (2007). The double edge of globalization. YaleGlobal
online. Retrieved from
Chua, H. H., & Poon, C. H. (2010). Stress may turn
youngsters into video game
Cornett, S (2004). The usability of massively
multiplayer online roleplaying games:
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery (n.d.). What is
Video-game addiction?
Risks, consequences of video game addiction identified in
new study.
Princeton (n.d). History of video games. Retrieved October
16, 2013, from
