Are you a Gaming Addict?

For most teens, using the internet and playing video games is just a regular part of the day.

- GRATIAN VAZ

Most teens are able to juggle the multiple demands of school, chores and family life. For many, however, what starts as curiosity in technology or innocent recreation and entertainment, may develop into a serious behavioural disorder.

Teens who often feel powerless in their daily lives suddenly have the ability to command armies, drive and crash cars and wreak havoc in a virtual world, with no real-life consequences. All this can be thrilling and seductive.

Why does one get addicted?

As with other addictions, gaming addiction is thought to be more prevalent among teens trying to cope with disorders such as low self-image, and self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Among teens who get hooked on to online massively multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMORPGs), the likelihood of addiction may be greater because these games never end.

With new quests and adventures continually being added to the games, the player never reaches the end and is enticed to return for more.

There was a shocking case of a 15-year-old boy from the U.K. who collapsed after playing World of Warcraft for 24 hours non-stop! He went into convulsions caused by sleep deprivation, lack of food and prolonged period of concentration and died.

The Blue Whale Challenge, a game in which the player is given various tasks by an administrator over a 50day period, ranging from isolation to self-harm and ultimately suicide, is said to have claimed over a hundred lives in different countries.