Internet and Gaming Addictions

Internet and Gaming Addictions

            Addiction in gaming and the internet is a growing concern that is being recognized and acknowledged worldwide. This is because it is a social and behavioral problem that affects large numbers of people. Addiction to the internet is the uncontrollable and problematic use of internet or other online devices as an adaptive way of coping with stresses in life over a long period. Gaming addiction is the uncontrollable use of video games that affects a person’s personal life. It is even surprising that the WHO has not recognized uncontrollable internet use and gaming as a disorder. However, the growing concern has stimulated research and discussions among experts, and the results have generated controversies. Concerns were raised about how people devote much of their time on the internet and online activities without considering negative consequences, at the expense of other interests and their daily engagements (Verkiel and Saskia 25). Thus addiction is indeed a problem.

Much research and studies indicate that about six percent of people globally could be suffering from internet and gaming addiction. The addiction indicates high figures in countries with higher traffic time commute index, higher pollution index, and lower life satisfaction index. Some of the warning signs of internet addiction include irritability when not online, use of gaming to relieve guilt and hopelessness, lying about what you do online and for how long you spend online declining grades in school, withdrawal from social events and activities in order to guarantee uninterrupted play among others. Although gaming and internet addiction is not officially recognized as a medical and mental disorder, several scientific research and expert’s discussions have indicated it as a serious problem and social issue. Activation of dopamine in the brain sites may release nucleus accumbens, which is specifically involved in other addictions (Kim et al. 17), is to mention a few other disorders. Some possible treatments to this addiction include use of reminders about the costs of internet addiction and the need to stop it, identifying addict’s pattern of internet use and disrupting it with other schedules, setting personal goals concerning time, raising awareness, and educating on the importance of face-to-face social interactions. Moreover, one should seek a therapist..

Today, knowing what is going on across the globe is quite easy. However, it is interesting that according to a survey in the United States and Europe indicated that eight percent of people use the internet as a way to escape from their problems. Surprisingly, studies show that despite children and young adults are the most affected with internet addiction, the addiction rates grow steadily less from twenty-five years until sixty-five when the internet usage rates shoot again spiking. Clinical findings are limited to internet addiction. Even though medical professionals believe people are addicted to the internet, it is interesting to see the same people think they’re addicted at a  three-time higher rate the health professionals view their addiction (Soon-Beom et al. 23). These are just a few of the exciting facts about internet addiction.

As seen from the above discussion, there is a need to get help from gaming and internet addiction. This is because of the devastating effects addiction can have, especially among teens and children. The first-ever step that needs to be taken is to recognize internet addiction as a mental and medical disorder officially. It is also unclear if the different mechanisms for the addiction are similar for the different types of addiction, i.e., excessive surfing, online gaming, or online sexual addiction. This paper has demonstrated a practical perspective in handling and dealing with the habit despite the limitations in theoretical models. As such, I believe it is useful in further research and general practicability.

Works cited

Kuss, Daria J., Mark D. Griffiths, and Jens F. Binder. “Internet addiction in students: Prevalence and risk factors.” Computers in Human Behavior 29.3 (2013): 959-966.

Weinstein, Aviv, and Michel Lejoyeux. “Internet addiction or excessive internet use.” The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse 36.5 (2010): 277-283.