Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
They're supposed to be all about fun and games, but video games can become a crushing addiction for many people, ruining life aspirations or a hopeful future.
Key Points:
- Any habit can become an addiction. Video games are meant to be fun, but they can ruin your life if you end up playing them sixteen hours a day!
- Much of the advice about breaking video game addiction isn’t helpful. “Hang out with friends” isn’t helpful if your friends are playing video games, too.
- Like any addiction, it’s not about the games but about why we play the games. There are four main reasons people play video games: (1) temporary escape; (2) they’re social; (3) they’re a challenge, which gives players a goal to work toward; (4) measurable growth provides a feedback loop.
- Video game addiction develops over time. If you are a parent, you must not use your iPad or phone as a babysitting device. Kids need interaction, not entertainment.
- Consider the reason you (or someone else) turns to video games, and address those areas in “real life.” Find positive, alternative ways to invest your creative energy and problem-solving skills. Consider developing a latent talent or striking up a friendship that has nothing to do with games.
Quote This:
Addiction is a hugely complex and destructive disease, and its impact can be simply devastating. All too often, lives and families can be shattered by it. -Kate Middleton
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What are some of your favorite games? Why?
- What’s the longest video game binge you’ve ever been on? What game was it? How did you feel afterward?
- How much time would you say you’ve invested into getting good at a particular game?
- What are some negative consequences you’ve experienced because of gaming?
- Look over the four main reasons people play video games listed in the key points above. Of those listed, which would you say is your number one reason for playing video games? Why?
- The speaker in this topic’s video said that online gaming gave him a “clean social slate.” No one judged him on whether or not he was a nerd back in middle school, but on how good he was at the game. Have you seen this to be true in your own life?
- What are some ways to healthily scale back your time playing video games? Is going “cold turkey” a viable option for you?
- What will be some negative consequences in your life if you do not scale back your time playing games?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
