Games, Fatigue Relievers or Problem Enhancers?

Video games are normal activities for fun. But, gaming becomes an addiction if it becomes the main focus of your daily life. There are more than 35 million people worldwide who belong to the category of extreme gamers (playing games for more than 40 hours a week) and that number is increasing rapidly. It turns out that many other people also play games as an escape from their problems.

Research shows that people who are most prone to becoming addicted to games are people with introverted personalities (tends to be alone), feeling lonely, easily bored, high levels of aggression, low emotional intelligence, and so on.

Gender and age also play a large role in vulnerability to gaming addiction. Most of the game addicts are teenage boys aged 12 to 24 years. Although there are female game addicts, research shows that game addiction is a common problem for men. Many gamers can admit that they spend a lot of time playing, but most will not admit to being addicted to games, and few truly understand the effects and effects of their addiction.

Scientists have found that the brains of game addicts function and behave in the same way as the brains of people addicted to gambling or other addictive substances. Game addicts also show a very strong emotional response when they see photos and think about their games. It means the brain of a game addict has a different response than that of other gamers. 

Their brains immediately work hard and fill up with dopamine when stimulated by games. That is why they seem to always think about and want to play games, because thinking about games makes them happy.

If parents don't limit the hours of gadget play, children will play as many video games as possible. Young children live off the stimulus of activity. If they were allowed to sit passively and play games to their heart's content, various aspects of their development would be hindered. Prolonged use of gadgets will impair social skills and hinder their physical and cognitive development. The problem is, many parents like to use gadgets to calm their children.

Instead of using gadgets as a way to easily control their children, parents should invest time in strengthening their relationship with their children through shared activities and raising them without relying on a lot of help from aides, tutors and chauffeurs. This is the best way to prevent kids from becoming addicted to gadgets.