Addiction again

July 5th, 2007

Tony Long at the venerable Wired tackled the issue of video game addiction today. The topic ain’t dead.

But the article strikes me as a little naïve. Saying that “the answer lies in education, enlightenment and—in the case of video games, at least—a little physical and mental exertion” is all well and good, but will a visit to the batting cage and a trip to Carneigie Hall really do the trick?

It’s sort of like yelling “eat less” at people with overeating disorders. Sure, that’s where they need to go, but they can’t just do it in one step.

Tony’s right, though, that video games are problems for different people to the degree that they’re problems for different people. Some people’s lives are being ruined or damaged with (not by) video games.

If you know you have a problem, seek help. If you know someone who has a problem, intervene. I am trilled that people are talking about video game addiction as a real (if unclassified) problem, rather than using “addictive” as a marketing slogan.

But I shudder when I hear people talking about further regulation. The rating system is enough. Let’s not forget what Prohibition got us!

Entry Filed under: Popular Perception, Video Games, Addiction, Problems