My post on the iED forums. The formatting in the comment section is completely screwed up. [1]
1. Are video games addictive? Does it matter?
They definitely are, and sure it does matter on a personal level. I don't think it as a trend is that huge a deal that it requires special attention when there are so many other things that need to be focused on.
2. How fine is the line between being engaged and addicted?
It's not that fine a line. You can play hours and hours of games a day as long as it's not adversely affecting other parts of your life. If it affects your health, you should probably limit your playing and eat/exercise. If it's affecting your social life, you should probably go out more. If it's ruining your relationships, well. Consider what's more important to you. I'm not going to judge anyone if they value their time with games to be more important than interacting with their spouse, etc... It's just a shame they forced their spouse into that position to begin with. As for directly answering the question, most people I know who are "addicted" to WoW or other such games can quit, and with relative ease. If something else in life requires attention, they will bail on the game. And I know hundreds of avid, hardcore gamers. Not one of them has what I'd call "addiction" to the point where they dropped out of school or anything. Given how many people play games nowadays, the percentage of people who are detrimentally addicted is pretty low.
3. Are there "warning signs" that I should be aware of?
My above response basically outlines how one's life can be affected. One thing I will add though is that I don't really think a disinterest in other activities is really a bad thing. Yes it's a sign of addiction, but addiction in itself does mean you're doing an activity. If it's not detrimentally harming your body or mental state, who cares what you're doing with your free time. On that note, gaming can be social too... it really just depends on what your definition of "socializing" is.
4. Are there best practices or guides for parents and educators to follow for dealing with compulsive gaming behaviors?
I have no clue. That's what people are struggling with right now. I don't think not allowing any exposure to the medium is healthy, as is with alcohol. Many other countries seem to agree that some taste of alcohol when young can help fight against addiction in the teenage or older years. That might be the same case with games. Everything in moderation. I am curiously about all these parents now playing video games WITH their children... How will they turn out?
5. Are learning games ever considered "addictive" or is it only traditional video games?
Anything is addicted, but learning games do seem to lose their novelty once the kids are older. I think if anything is forced on someone, the less they'll enjoy it. But again, anything that is stimulates the senses can be addictive.
6. What issues or questions should the panel be aware of for the next meeting?
I don't think it's that big of a deal as of now so I'm not going to bring up concerns or anything like that. Should it be medically classified as addiction? Sure. No hurt in that, and there's many institutes which "aid" people in overcoming video game addiction already (in other countries).
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