Gaming Addiction and its effects on Adolescents - Zach Warth

By Piotr Drabik (common) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Cernigla, L., Guicciardi, M., Sinatra, M., Monacis, L., Simonelli, A., & Cimino, S. (2019). The use of digital technologies, impulsivity and psychopathological symptoms in adolescence. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 9(8), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9080082

Summary

·      Video Game addiction is a rising issue among young students. It affects sleeping patterns, social interaction, as well as classroom performance.

·      Multiple assessment studies were performed to measure the effects and correlation of gaming addiction with depression, hostility, and anxiety along with various other elements.

·      Internet Gaming Disorder is a behavioral pattern encompassing persistent and recurrent use of the Internet to engage in games.

·      According to the authors (2019), “higher levels of Internet Gaming Disorder were correlated with higher levels of interpersonal sensitivity in early adolescence” (p. 7-8).

Assess/Evaluate

·      The studies in this article were performed in Italy, but it can be safe to theorize that American students are exposed to the same, if not more video game use and thus, may have similar results.

·      The data gathered is compiled into a chart which can be difficult to read in some areas.

·      This article did provide a large amount of information in the form of statistics and assessment data. This article is very helpful as it provides direct evidence as to how Internet Gaming Disorder affects adolescents.

TEDx Talks. (2013, October 17). Escaping video game addiction: Cam Adair at TEDxBoulder [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHmC2D0_Hdg

Summary

This video from TEDx Talks discusses the significance of gaming addiction and features a former addict’s struggles with and how he overcame his gaming addiction.

Assess/Evaluate

This video is a great source of insight into video game addiction. The first-hand experience provided by the video offers a glimpse into the daily life of a video game addiction.

Reflection on Gaming Addiction

Gaming addiction is an increasing factor that effects student’s well-being. This article and video have demonstrated this and have persuaded me into this realm of thinking. As a future educator, Internet Based Gaming Disorder will be a growing concern for the well-being of my students in my classroom. The video claims that it is the responsibility of the parents to moderate their children’s video game use in order to ensure that their children are not developing serious conditions such as depression and anxiety as a result of excessive video game use. This is a great point as the parents are the first line of contact for their children. Another important factor in Internet Gaming Disorder is the school district. In some cases, the school district may need to consider moderating student's gaming themselves to help increase students success especially as students progress and advance into the middle school and junior high grades. It is also the student's responsibility to become educated about Internet Gaming Disorder and its effects on the mental state of students. 

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