Not an addict, just a problem user

What I liked about Tuesdays lecture this week was the use of the term ‘problematic use’ rather than gaming addiction. I truly think Bakker and Clark are on to something with that. I had this basic concept in mind whenever I experienced what could be likened to ‘addict’ behaviour, but never had the name to describe it. For instance, my younger brother is what I would lightly refer to as a ‘Runescape’ addict. Late nights, mood swings and aggression all seem to stem from the dreaded world of Runescape, although realistically whenever I see not just my brother but any example of wacky behaviour I never immediately attribute it to the games. The ‘Steven freak outs’ which are quite popular on youtube as well as being previously posted in another blog shows the kid flying off the handle like a total psycho. Yet, when I saw this and despite knowing that it was because his WOW account was being cancelled my first thought was “Wow, that kid has issues”. I really don’t think that video game addiction can necessarily be used to describe this. This I see as problematic use. The leniencies parents grant their kids at a young age with video games is bound to translate into their later years, and lacking discipline as well as lack of involvement are key concepts which I think can lead to problematic use.

The social aspect of gaming is one of the more important aspects of ‘addiction’ or excessive use that can often be positive rather than a negative. For example as a kid my brother never owned a game console and so now when he plays it’s a treat and he does go a bit crazy on 12 hour gaming binges. Unhealthy, yes but I don’t worry so much about it anymore because I realise that when he has noone to play COD or Jak and Daxter with, or if none of his friends from school are online in Runescape he occupies himself with something else. He plays as a means of socialising. In addition to that, he has three older siblings to mock his computer ‘nerd’ vibe when he gets a little too immersed and the resultingsleep deprivation causes him to lash out in a moody teen way. I think preventing problematic use comes down to responsible limits on gaming or more importantly family and friends involving themselves with the gamer.