The article explores how online games have emerged and the impacts they have on individuals as well as families. Online games are growing at a very high speed and create a lot of addiction among children and especially teenagers (Young, 2009). The individuals involved in playing the games usually get addicted to the games and like alcohol and other drugs they have some side effects. The article reviews what contributes to the addictive nature of the games. Since reliance on computers has become of high frequencies it has become difficult for the clinicians to be able to detect or diagnose addiction caused by online gaming. The symptoms are likely to be hidden by the legitimate use of the computers. However there are warning signs to show that an adolescent has gaming addiction.
The article answers the research question how online gaming addiction affects the social lives of people and teenagers. The individuals get withdrawn from their families and games and indulge in playing the games only. They get preoccupied with gaming and often fantasize about the games even when they are not playing. Preoccupation with the games is what causes the individuals to get withdrawn from their families and friends (Young, 2009). Individuals who get addicted to gaming start lying about their gaming and spend most of their days and nights online playing. They go to the extent of failing to do things they are supposed to be doing regularly such as eating, sleeping and even showering. They start lying and making up excuses to play the games. Addiction in the games also makes individuals loose interest in all other activities even those that were his or her hobbies. Addiction also leads to anger when they try to defend their need to play games while others get psychologically withdrawn.
References
Young, K. (2009). Understanding Online Gaming Addiction and Treatment Issues for
Adolescents. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 37:355-372.
