Video games pose as possible addiction for students
Mari Brown
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
Do you like to play video games? If so, be careful, these games can be addicting.
According to USA Today, a study shows that "nearly one in 10 children and teens who play video games show behavioral signs that may indicate addiction."
Symptoms include "skipping chores and homework for video games, poor test or homework performance and playing games to escape problems."
Many students at Sacred Heart University have been affected by video game addictions.
"I've definitely put doing homework off in order to invest hours into playing video games," said senior Gregory Chase. "Like the new Super Smash Brothers, when it came out I didn't stop playing for at least 12 hours."
To invest this much time in front of a TV with a controller is not uncommon on campus, according to student mentor Sean Heffron.
"I have had many students identify [playing too many video games] as an issue after receiving failing grades," said Heffron. "I have also personally had to track down at-risk students in their rooms, and upon entering, found their rooms to look more like an EB Games store than a residence hall room, and the students are playing video games."
A question posed about if whether or not an addiction to video games correlates to gambling. According to USA Today, "the survey does not end the debate over whether gaming can be addictive in the way gambling…can be."
When asked, several Sacred Heart students said they don't think video games have anything to do with gambling.
"I don't believe that video games have anything of a significant influence on the outward behavior of an individual in his daily life," said Chase.
"So I don't think that playing too many video games can lead to an addiction like gambling."
Heffron agrees with the students.
"Although it is addicting, it's fantasy," said Heffron. "It's an escape, and that is why most students don't equate it to hurting them in 'real life.' Most gamers would never risk something of actual value and gamble, in my opinion."
While sophomore Evan Jacobs doesn't think he personally is addicted to video games, he admits that "everyone has those friends who sit and play video games all day, and don't go outside. So there are definitely people that have addictions to video games."
If anyone at Sacred Heart does have an addiction to video games, Heffron has advice for them.
"It can be treated like any other addiction, and that begins at the Counseling Center," he said.
Accepting the reality of an addiction to video games may be difficult for some, but in the grand scheme of things, to have this addiction is better than others, according to Heffron.
"I personally think video games are a part of the culture on most college campuses, and can be a great social tool, an outlet for stress, and a healthy, inexpensive alternative to drinking and drugs," he said.
According to USA Today, a study shows that "nearly one in 10 children and teens who play video games show behavioral signs that may indicate addiction."
Symptoms include "skipping chores and homework for video games, poor test or homework performance and playing games to escape problems."
Many students at Sacred Heart University have been affected by video game addictions.
"I've definitely put doing homework off in order to invest hours into playing video games," said senior Gregory Chase. "Like the new Super Smash Brothers, when it came out I didn't stop playing for at least 12 hours."
To invest this much time in front of a TV with a controller is not uncommon on campus, according to student mentor Sean Heffron.
"I have had many students identify [playing too many video games] as an issue after receiving failing grades," said Heffron. "I have also personally had to track down at-risk students in their rooms, and upon entering, found their rooms to look more like an EB Games store than a residence hall room, and the students are playing video games."
A question posed about if whether or not an addiction to video games correlates to gambling. According to USA Today, "the survey does not end the debate over whether gaming can be addictive in the way gambling…can be."
When asked, several Sacred Heart students said they don't think video games have anything to do with gambling.
"I don't believe that video games have anything of a significant influence on the outward behavior of an individual in his daily life," said Chase.
"So I don't think that playing too many video games can lead to an addiction like gambling."
Heffron agrees with the students.
"Although it is addicting, it's fantasy," said Heffron. "It's an escape, and that is why most students don't equate it to hurting them in 'real life.' Most gamers would never risk something of actual value and gamble, in my opinion."
While sophomore Evan Jacobs doesn't think he personally is addicted to video games, he admits that "everyone has those friends who sit and play video games all day, and don't go outside. So there are definitely people that have addictions to video games."
If anyone at Sacred Heart does have an addiction to video games, Heffron has advice for them.
"It can be treated like any other addiction, and that begins at the Counseling Center," he said.
Accepting the reality of an addiction to video games may be difficult for some, but in the grand scheme of things, to have this addiction is better than others, according to Heffron.
"I personally think video games are a part of the culture on most college campuses, and can be a great social tool, an outlet for stress, and a healthy, inexpensive alternative to drinking and drugs," he said.
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