About one in 10 videogame players show signs of (addictive) behavior that could have negative effects on their family, friends and school work, according to a new study.
Researchers at Iowa State University [ISU] and the National (Institute) on Media and the Family found that some gamers show at least six symptoms of gambling addiction such as lying to family and friends about how much they play games, (using) the games to escape their problems and becoming restless or irritable when they stop (playing).
They may also skip homework to play videogames or spend (too) much time playing the games and (do) poorly in school.
"While the medical community currently (does) not recognize video game addiction as a mental disorder, hopefully this study will be one of many that allow us to have an educated conversation on the positive and negative (effects) of video games," Dr Douglas Gentile, an assistant professor of psychology at ISU, said in a statement.
Dr David Walsh, the president of the National Institute on Media and the Family which (strives) to minimize the harm of media on the health and development of children and families, said the findings are a wake-up call for families.
"This study gives everyone a better idea of the (scope) of the problem," he explained.
The researchers, who studied 1,178 American children and teenagers, aged 8 to 18, found some displayed at least six of 11 symptoms of pathological (gambling) as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Addicted gamers (played) videogames 24 hours a week, twice as much as casual gamers. Some addicted gamers even steal to support their (habit), according to the findings that will be published in the journal Psychological Science.
Question)
1. How does videogames hurt teens?
2. How to help the addicted players ?
