Video/Online Gaming Addiction

Although video gaming may not be recognized as one of the major addictions in today’s society (yet), it has become a growing problem in many families and individuals lives today. Like any other addiction, a video game addiction can cause someone to cease living a normal life, and cause them to spend all of their time playing video games. We know that in a normal healthy life we have daily obligations to family, friends, work, school, and especially to God, that require our physical, spiritual, and mental presence, interaction, and daily involvement. When someone is playing a video or online game all the time, there is no more time or energy left for their regular life anymore. Normal life then becomes unmanageable because you mainly just live and interact in a virtual world. Plus many of these games promote violence and desensitize the gamer to violence because there is a reward for killing, and the virtual victim does not suffer any real pain, or have a real family like in real life. You may think that it's no big deal murdering fake people, but it can damage your mind and spirit. You see, God has placed a conscience within us to warn us if we are doing something wrong; when we override and trick that conscience long enough, it no longer functions correctly. The violent responses you burn into your brain now can someday be triggered by a quick specific threat that can create violent automatic reflexes to normal situations.

Besides the violent video games, there are also games that have a heavy occult theme. These games can give you problems with evil spirits. If you cannot play a video game without it taking over your life, then there is a problem, and your life can become just as crazy and damaged as any other addict’s life is. Video game addiction has mainly affected teens and children up until now, but the average gamer now is in their twenties. You see, in a virtual world you can be anyone you want, no pain, no acne, no poverty, no family strife, you are your own God and you think you are free from the normal harm and limitations of life. Not all gaming is bad, it was originally created to be fun and entertaining, but if like in the movie the Matrix, your body just provides energy to live in a virtual world, then that is an addiction. It is time for us to leave our virtual reality world, and come back to actual reality world and live as God intended us to.

Here are some symptoms of Video/Online Game Addiction.

For children:

Most of non-school hours are spent on the computer or playing video games.
Falling asleep in school.
Not keeping up with assignments.
Worsening grades.
Lying about computer or video game use.
Choosing to use the computer or play video games, rather than see friends.
Dropping out of other social groups (clubs or sports).
Irritable when not playing a video game or on the computer.

For adults:

Computer or video game use is characterized by intense feelings of pleasure and guilt.
Obsessing and pre-occupied about being on the computer, even when not connected.
Hours playing video games or on the computer increasing, seriously disrupting family, social or even work life.
Lying about computer or video game use.
Experience feelings of withdrawal, anger, or depression when not on the computer or involved with their video game.
May incur large phone or credit bills for on-line services.
Can't control computer or video game use.
Fantasy life on-line replaces emotional life with partner.

There are even physical symptoms that may point to addiction:

Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Sleep disturbances
Back, neck aches
Headaches
Dry eyes
Failure to eat regularly or neglect personal hygiene

So what can you do if there is a video game addiction going on with you, or someone in your home? Well first of all, you can put all of the computers and video games in a common area rather than in the bedrooms or basement, so that what is being played can be monitored by all. Also, have a clock by the TV with big clear numbers so you can keep track of the time. Go through all the games that may be harmful to your kids, and also check their computer for game files since most games are downloaded and burned to CD from a file sharing network or game web site. Even if you don't buy your kids "M" (Mature) rated games, they can still get them online through file sharing. Give the addicted person some healthy alternatives for their social and entertainment activities (non-defiling entertainment, sports, movies, church activities, exercise etc.), to replace the unhealthy activities they just lost. Be ready for a war if it is your kids that are the game addicts, because they will tell you that you are just overreacting and that the games really aren't that bad (rationalization, denial, pleading). This is normal for someone who is blind to the damage their addiction is causing, in denial, and who are desensitized to its destructive effects. Pray for them, and with them, and ask for God's help.